TEACHER EDITION 3

Welcome to a sample of Be My Disciples School Grade 3 — Teacher Edition.

Included in this sample:

Introduction of Be My Disciples Catholic School Programl Cover, Title Page, Acknowledgments, and Table of Contents l Welcome Lesson and Prayer Lesson Wrap l From Day One Teacher Workshop — Your starting point for confident,

capable, committed catechesis

Unit 1 including l Unit Opener Background Informationl Chapters 1–4 Lesson Plan with reduced student pages l Catholic Social Teaching Lesson Planl Unit Review Lesson Plan

Please note that pages 4–15 and 31–40 are not included in the sample.

We hope that this sample will help you experience the beauty and rich content of our Catholic faith through Be My Disciples.

GRADE THREETEACHER EDITION

School

Peter M. EspositoPresident

Jo Rotunno, MAPublisher

Anne P. BattesAssociate Publisher

Program AdvisorsMichael P. Horan, PhDElizabeth Nagel, SSD

AcknowledgementsExcerpts are taken and adapted from the New American Bible with Revised New Testament and Revised Psalms, © 1991, 1986, 1970, Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C., and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Excerpts are taken and adapted from the English translation of the Roman Missal, Third Edition, © 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy, Inc. (ICEL); General Instruction of the Roman Missal, The Roman Missal, © 2010, (ICEL); The Roman Missal, Preface to the Mass of Christian Burial, © 2010, (ICEL); Rite of Marriage, © 1969, (ICEL); United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, © 2006, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C.; National Directory for Catechesis, © 2005, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved. No part of these works may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Excerpts from Second Vatican Council: Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World [Gaudium et Spes]; Dogmatic Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy [Sacrosanctum Concilium]; Dogmatic Constitution on the Church [Lumen Gentium]; excerpts from Paul VI, On Evangelization in the Modern World [Evangelii Nuntiandi] (8 December 1975); Paul VI, General Norms for the Liturgical Year and Calendar, (14 February 1969; Paul VI, John XXIII and Leo XII, 17 Papal Documents on the Rosary, St. Paul Editions, 1980; John Paul II, Dies Domini, (5 July 1998); English translation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church for use in the United States of America, second edition, © 1997, United States Catholic Conference, Inc.- Liberia Editrice Vaticana; excerpts from the General Directory for Catechesis, © 1997, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved. No part of these works may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Excerpts and adaptations of prayers were taken from the book of Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers, © 2007, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved. No part of the book of Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright holder.

Copyright © 2014 RCL Publishing LLCAll rights reserved. Be My Disciples is a trademark of RCL Publishing LLC. This publication, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form by photographic, electronic, mechanical, or any other method, for any use, including information storage and retrieval, without written permission from the publisher. Send all inquiries to RCL Benziger, 8805 Governor’s Hill Drive, Suite 400, Cincinnati, OH 45249.

Toll Free 877-275-4725Fax 800-688-8356

Visit us at www.RCLBenziger.comand www.BeMyDisciples.com

20773 ISBN 978-0-7829-1642-3 (Teacher Edition)20763 ISBN 978-0-7829-1636-2 (Student Edition)

1st printingManufactured for RCL Benziger in Cincinnati, OH, USA. March, 2013

Thank you for reviewing Be My Disciples program for Catholic schools from RCL Benziger. This pre-publication electronic sample may be utilized for the product review of the Be My Disciples program grades 1–6 and Junior High levels. The contents are not intended for student, parent and family, or classroom use at this time and may not be copied for any purpose. Copyright © 2014 RCL Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. The Imprimatur and Statement of Conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church are pending.

For further information about the program and its support materials for teachers, students, families, and program directors, please contact your local RCL Benziger sales representative. You may also call our Customer Service Department, 877.275.4725, for contact information about your local representative.

RCL Benziger is grateful for your ministry in Catholic education. We are also grateful that you have chosen to review our newest program, Be My Disciples, to support you in sharing the faith with future generations.

Contents

UNIT 1: We Believe, Part OneChapter 1 God Speaks to Us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46Chapter 2 God the Creator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62Chapter 3 Mary Trusted God . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78Chapter 4 Jesus, the Son of God. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

UNIT 2: We Believe, Part TwoChapter 5 Jesus is Risen! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116Chapter 6 The Gift of the Holy Spirit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132Chapter 7 The Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148Chapter 8 The Communion of Saints. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .164

UNIT 3: We Worship, Part OneChapter 9 A People of Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .186Chapter 10 The Church Year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202Chapter 11 Celebrating God’s Love. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .218Chapter 12 God’s Healing Love . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .234

UNIT 4: We Worship, Part TwoChapter 13 The Word of God . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .256Chapter 14 The Bread of Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .272Chapter 15 The Sacrament of Matrimony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .288Chapter 16 Called to Serve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .304

UNIT 5: We Live, Part OneChapter 17 Happiness with God . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .326Chapter 18 God’s Laws of Love . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .342Chapter 19 Love One Another. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .358Chapter 20 The Great Commandment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .374

UNIT 6: We Live, Part TwoChapter 21 Witnesses of Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .396Chapter 22 The Creeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412Chapter 23 Living Our Faith. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .428Chapter 24 Praying as Jesus Did . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .444

We Celebrate the Church Year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .464

Catholic Prayers and Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .500

We Celebrate the Mass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .508

Key Teachings of the Catholic Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .516

Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .522

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .526

Credits and Footnotes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .527

A Teacher’s Prayer for Discipleship

Lord, make me your disciple. Help me to bring the Good News to others as you did.

Give me the courage to answer your call, as Simon and Andrew and the other Apostles did, and to invite others to answer bravely too.

Give me the wisdom to see that following your Way brings blessings and true joy, and give me the words and actions to show this wisdom to others.

Give me your spirit of forgiveness, that I may never allow anger or judgment to enter into my relationship with my students. In this way, I will help them to be reconcilers too.

Give me the reverence to pray always, in my words and in my deeds. Help me to teach my students to pray, that they may grow ever closer to you.

Give me the gift of creativity, to bring your message of hope alive in the hearts of my learners, so that I can engage their hearts, heads, and hands in the work of the Gospel.

Give me a spirit of generosity and poverty, so that I will never become too attached to the world’s goods. Help me to inspire my students to see the emptiness of material things.

Give me the faith of Martha and Mary, to find the balance between prayerfulness and my good works for the Gospel. In this way, I will lead my students to greater works than my own.

Spirit of Love, help me to proclaim the Good News to all I meet, so that I can hasten the day when your Reign will come in its fullness. I ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

16 Grade 3

Grade 3 17

Welcome to Be My Disciples!Thank you for answering Jesus’ call to discipleship! You have agreed to serve in the Church’s ministry of the Word as a Catholic school teacher. Your decision is a sign of your faith commitment to the young people and their families, to your fellow teachers, and to your school and parish.

RCL Benziger not only wants to support you, but also to empower you with the knowledge, skills, and spirituality needed to be a confident, capable, and committed teacher and catechist. From day one, as Be My Disciples was being developed, great consideration was given to the learner, the learning process, and to you—the teacher and catechist.

This built-in interactive workshop will help you get the year off to a great start From Day One. You’ll also find a correlation to related modules in the Echoes of Faith program for teacher formation that will increase your confidence still further.

From Day OneYour starting point for confident, capable, committed catechesis

For ReflectionFrom Day One, think about the ways you have answered the call to discipleship and who has nurtured you along the way. Now think of the ways you can help the students in your class to be engaged learners as they answer Jesus’ call to discipleship.

18 Grade 3

As a teacher of religion, you are a catechist. You are joining a long line of dedicated believers stretching back through the ages who have answered God’s call to share the Catholic faith with others. Like them, you have been touched by your experience of Jesus Christ and are unable to keep the Good News to yourself.

Dr. Thomas Groome speaks of the catechist as a “leading learner.” This image can help you remember that you do not need to have all the answers. You are still learning yourself, and that process will continue for the rest of your life, as a teacher and as a Christian. But you are indeed a leader for the students in your care. They look to you for information, but even more, they look to you as a role model. This is both an honor and a great responsibility.

As important as your role is, it is not the most important one in the faith formation of these young people. That role is reserved for their parents; your role is to support them. Ideally, the home is the “domestic Church” in which the Catholic faith is nurtured on a daily basis. In others, family pressures may get in the way and make your classroom the best experience the students have of the Church, at least for a time. The best attitude to have toward the families of your learners is to assume that, at heart, all parents want the best for their children and that they are grateful for your assistance.

Your role in the students’ faith formation is to make more explicit for them the Scripture and doctrine of the Catholic Tradition and to give them opportunities to integrate their new knowledge into their daily lives. It is to help students celebrate the great events in the life of Jesus Christ, his mother Mary, and the great Saints of the Church throughout the year. In this role you are helping the students establish their Catholic identity.

Be Confident . . . You Are a Catechist!

For ReflectionHow equipped are you to be a “leading learner” in your catechetical setting? What do you see as your strengths and weaknesses? Discuss your assessment with your principal or catechetical leader. He or she can help you establish a growth plan for continued learning throughout the year.

Grade 3 19

Just as some actors play multiple roles in a drama, so will you in your role as a catechist. At times, you are a storyteller, at others, a facilitator, a presenter, or a leader of prayer. At all times, you are a witness to your own faith in Jesus Christ. The Catholic Church defines six key tasks for you to fulfill in your role as a catechist.

The General Directory for Catechesis, published in 1997, guides the worldwide Church in its catechetical mission. It identifies six important tasks of catechesis (GDC 85–87). These tasks are reiterated in the National Directory for Catechesis, published in 2005 (NDC 20). Reflect on the list on this page and assess your abilities in each of these areas before you begin the year.

The Six Tasks of Catechesis 1. Promoting knowledge of the faith. Teachers

introduce their learners to all that has been revealed through Jesus Christ by initiating them gradually into the whole truth revealed through Scripture and Tradition.

2. Liturgical education. As a catechist, you will help students understand the Church’s sacramental life and give them an experience of the signs, symbols, gestures, prayers, and creeds of the Church.

3. Moral formation. Moral catechesis involves both the announcement of the Good News through your proclamation of the Gospel call to moral living and your presentation of what the Church’s Tradition teaches about this message. The Disciple Power feature in every chapter helps you introduce the young people to the gifts, virtues, and habits of Christian living.

4. Teaching to pray. Every chapter begins and ends with prayer. Be My Disciples will provide you with a wide variety of prayer experiences to introduce the students to the Church’s tradition of prayer. The last chapter in the student’s book teaches and extends the young people’s knowledge of the Our Father every year.

5. Education for community life. You are leading children into a way of life that you have already been privileged to experience. You invite them to join a loving community of faith, to live simply and humbly, to care for the poor and alienated, to forgive as they wish to be forgiven, and to join in common prayer. Your classroom will become a daily experience of Christian community for the students.

6. Missionary initiation. Catechesis prepares children to live the Gospel in daily life and to prepare the way for the coming of the Kingdom of God. Be My Disciples is filled with suggestions for outreach activities and service projects to help young people begin to participate in the Church’s mission. Be sure to note the Catholic Social Teaching feature at the end of each unit.

For ReflectionFor which task of catechesis do you feel most qualified? Which seems most daunting? Share with another teacher what strengths and concerns you bring to the catechetical vocation.

Be Confident . . . The Six Tasks of Catechesis[T]he definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch but in

communion [and] intimacy with Jesus Christ. On Catechesis in Our Time 5

See the Echoes of Faith Plus “Roles of the Catechist” and the “Person of the Catechist” modules. Go to EchoesofFaith.com for more information.

FOR FURTHER STUDY

Be Capable . . . The Be My Disciples Approach

20 Grade 3

You feel confident as a teacher when you know what your role is. You will feel more and more capable as you develop the skills to facilitate the catechetical process effectively. Be My Disciples uses a unique, balanced approach to children’s catechesis rooted in the mandate of the General Directory for Catechesis that all catechesis include formation as well as information, so that the life of the learner may be transformed (see GDC 29).

A BALANCED APPROACH that

• invites students to discipleship through a dynamic methodology that incorporates the latest findings in brain research, psycho-social development, and emotional intelligence.

• teaches, reinforces, and extends knowledge of Catholic doctrine and the Church’s seasons every year in every grade through RCL Benziger’s unique spiral structure.

• challenges students to a deeper integration of faith and life by leading them to higher levels of thinking and encouraging a weekly faith choice.

A BALANCED APPROACH An innovative religion curriculum that empowers children and their families to answer Jesus’ call to “Be My Disciples”

• Invites children to discipleship

• Teaches Scripture, Doctrine, and Celebration

• Challenges children to integrate faith and life

A Child-Centered Catechesis

Invitesthrough its

Catechumenal Methodology

Teachesthrough its Spiral

Structure of Scripture, Doctrine, and Celebration

Challengesthrough Integration

Activities and Faith Choices

LIFE

LEARNLI

VE

LINK

Grade 3 21

For ReflectionWhich do you think is more important in catechesis—the teaching of the truths of the faith, or facilitating the integration of faith and life?

For which of these tasks are you most qualified? What could you do to balance your strengths and challenges?

Be My Disciples helps students to know and live their faith through loving service to others. Here is what they will experience through the

balanced approach.

1 Begin with Life.

2 Grow in Knowledge.

3 Connect Faith with Their Experience.

4 Practice the Skills of

A Child-Centered Catechesis

Be Capable . . . The Eight Human Methodologies

22 Grade 3

The National Directory for Catechesis describes eight methodologies, or avenues, through which individuals come to faith. Be My Disciples incorporates these methodologies in a consistent way throughout the program.

1. Learning Through Human Experience

We respond to God’s invitation through our human experience. Every Be My Disciples chapter begins by engaging the students’ interest and imagination and helping them relate the lesson concept to their experience.

2. Learning by Discipleship

We learn the Way of Jesus Christ by choosing to follow him and do what he asks of us. Be My Disciples incorporates New Testament reflection and activities in every unit to assist in the young people’s growth in discipleship.

3. Learning Within the Christian Community

The witness of the Church shows these young people how to believe, worship, and to take up the Gospel call to service. Each week, Be My Disciples invites students to make concrete faith choices for the Kingdom of God.

4. Learning Within the Christian Family

The Christian family is often the first experience the child has of what it means to live in a Christian community. The family offers the first and best environment for growth in faith. Be My Disciples engages the family through the With My Family take-home pages, and through a variety of other projects and activities both within the text and online at BeMyDisciples.com.

Grade 3 23

5. Learning Through the Witness of the Catechist

You will be a powerful influence on your learners’ faith formation this year, both by the faith knowledge you will share with them and, most importantly, by your witness of the Catholic faith. Your words and actions model for the children what it means to live a Christian life. Your Be My Disciples Catechist Guide offers you front-to-back catechist formation to assist you every step of the way.

6. Learning by Heart

When we “learn by heart,” we make knowledge or a skill our own. Memorization of key definitions, doctrinal formulations, and prayers plays an important role in building religious literacy and identity. Be My Disciples highlights faith vocabulary and reinforces key concepts in every chapter through student book sidebar features and Teacher Guide strategies.

7. Making a Commitment to Live the Christian Life

Our acts of commitment to live the faith, made again and again throughout our lives, are how we learn what it means to have faith. Be My Disciples invites young people to make a faith choice at the end of every chapter so that they can live the faith more deeply in the coming week.

8. Learning by Apprenticeship

Learning by apprenticeship allows us to learn from an experienced Catholic, a mentor, who can give us insight into the Christian life. You are such a person for your learners this year. Be My Disciples also provides activities at every grade level inviting young people to begin modeling the actions of a disciple for younger children.

Look for a box in every chapter’s lesson plan that will assist you in incorporating the human methodologies into your lessons. The boxes provide you with helpful background information, activities, and lesson strategies.

For ReflectionWhich of the human methodologies has most helped you grow in faith? How will utilizing the different methodologies help you to be a more effective teacher and catechist?

Review the Echoes of Faith Plus Methodology module for grades 3 and 4. Look for activities and teaching techniques that utilize the eight human methodologies. Go to EchoesofFaith.com for more resources.

FOR FURTHER STUDY

24 Grade 3

Outgoing, lively and high levels of energy begin to describe the third grade child. The world as they know it begins to revolve around their peers. Although adults are very important in the life of these young persons, they are becoming more independent and self-confident. Friendships begin to develop with greater focus and sometimes a ‘best’ friend emerges. Third graders also have a stronger sense of their role in the community and their responsibility to the community is heightened.

Even though third graders still perceive the world through a more literal perspective, abstract thinking transpires in their abilities to understand other viewpoints, make connections, and develop a sense of humor. They enjoy telling jokes! They love a good challenge! They are extremely curious!

Intellectually, these growing learners can plan ahead, evaluate what they are doing, problem solve individually and in groups, and read for fun. They

enjoy reading the comics, mysteries, childhood classics and short poems. Eight and nine year olds have a great fascination with

heroes. They admire adults, especially parents and teachers, and these third graders value the attitudes and habits they

perceive in these important adults. You are a special witness to the faith in the lives of these impressionable

third graders!

Growing in Discipleship

In their faith journey, third graders enjoy learning about the heroes of the Bible and the stories of the People of God. They have a strong desire to learn

about people, past and present, and their differences. Because they value the attitudes and habits of important adults in their lives, learning about virtues and moral habits is critical at this stage of faith formation.

Be Capable . . . Getting to Know Your Third Graders

“For various reasons today, rather more than in the past, the child demands full respect and help in its spiritual and human growth.”

General Directory for Catechesis 177

Grade 3 25

For Reflection

Third graders begin to realize that true happiness comes from knowing and loving God. They develop a deeper appreciation of Scripture, liturgy, community, and prayer. These young persons can begin to apply Jesus’ teachings to their own lives and become involved in efforts that will help them recognize their own unique gifts and their role in the Christian community.

As you nurture these young people in their relationship with Jesus, help them to know how special they are to God and in the Christian community. This is an exciting time to watch children grow in their faith, as they learn to answer Jesus’ call to Be My Disciples.

Physical Characteristics

Demonstrates a good sense of balance and likes testing muscle strength and skills

Experiences wide variations in physical growth from child to child

Participates in sports, dance, and gymnastics

Cognitive/Learning Skills

Learns through concrete thinking and reasons logically

Begins to learn abstract reasoning only if it relates to real experiences

Likes imaginative play in the form of skits and puppet shows

Experiences learning through games, puzzles, and electronics

Relishes explaining ideas

Relationships

Increased number of peer relationships but may develop a best friend

Enjoys caring for and playing with younger children

Needs a sense of security in groups

Enjoys cooperative learning groups

Increased interest in being a member of a group or a community

Religious Growth

Appreciates and wants to participate in the community dimension of sacramental celebrations

Enjoys having a role in liturgical experiences

Delights in learning about biblical Saints and persons of faith in the Church or Church organizations

Relates to Saints as role models who stand for morality, justice and faith

Likes to participate in community service

What do you remember about your experiences as a third grader? What are the similarities and differences between your experiences and today’s third graders? How does this help you understand your third graders as you plan for your religion classes this year?

26 Grade 3

God has given each of us a variety of spiritual gifts to help us to grow individually and in the community. Each gift is unique, and each person and gift is needed. It is through these diverse spiritual gifts that we are one Body in Christ!

Learning SmartA well-known educator, Howard Gardner, believes that each of us is born with at least eight different ways of processing and responding to new information that he calls multiple intelligences. All of us possess each of these kinds of “smart” in one degree or another. The particular combination of these intelligences is what makes each of us unique; there is usually one or several of these intelligences that is dominant for each person. Refer to the “Eight Kinds of Smart” on the next page.

When you were in school, did you prefer just listening to a lecture, taking notes while you were listening or did you keep your fingers or your feet tapping while your were listening? Do you like to read a novel or see movies? Do you want just the facts or do you prefer open-ended questions with lots of possibilities? The answers to these questions tell a lot about the ‘ways’ you prefer to learn and express yourself. You may prefer to learn by listening, by seeing, by imagining or by doing. Children have these preferred learning styles as well.

Digital DisciplesYoung people today are also digital learners. They access information quickly from multimedia sources, primarily utilizing the internet, laptops and cell phones. Learning takes place through multitasking while processing pictures, sound, color and video before text. Digital learners are graphic thinkers! They respond to learning that is relevant, instant, active, useful, and fun.

Learning HeartHow do your recognize your own emotions and how do they affect your thoughts and behaviors? How do you manage your emotions and adapt to change? How do you understand the emotions, needs, and concerns of other people? How do you develop and maintain good relationships and communicate clearly?

The research of Daniel Goleman on ‘Emotional Intelligence’ is an important part of understanding who you are and who you are in relationship with others. The ‘heart’ must be a part of learning in order to grow in a faith response that lets you share why you love being Catholic!

As children grow in relationship with others and Jesus, they need to know how to express their own feelings and knowledge to have common ground with their family, classmates, and people from other cultures and religions. Learning heart will help children to be engaged and active members of the Church.

Be My Disciples provides a variety of strategies that respect the many gifts of children as they learn smart, learn ways to grasp the knowledge and learn heart to grow spiritually.

To assist you in engaging all your learners, here are some activities related to the eight intelligences that support the different ways children can learn and express their relationship with God and one another.

Be Capable . . . Helping My Third Graders Learn“For as in one body we have many parts, and all the parts do not have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ and individually

parts of one another. Romans 12:4–5

For Reflection Knowing your own gifts will assist you in helping your third graders discover their gifts. How do you learn smart and what are your preferences for learning? How does this help you understand the young people in your class so that your catechesis will engage them more?

How will you nurture and incorporate the emotional intelligence of the young people so that their faith response will be more authentic?

FOR FURTHER STUDY

The “Methods for Grades 3 and 4” module of Echoes of Faith Plus will help you to provide activities that will assist many kinds of learners. See Echoes of Faith for more resources.

Grade 3 27

Language and Music-Related Activities•Researchingwordmeanings•Wordgamesandpuzzles•ReadingandBible-searchactivities•Storytellingandjournalwriting•LearninghymnsandMassresponses•Writingprayersorsongs•Usingbackgroundmusicforactivities

Object-Related Activities•Learning“howmany?”ofdifferentcategories•Celebratingtheliturgicalseasons• “Youarethere”activitiessuchasplacingoneself

in the action of a Bible story•Usingmapsandmodels•Usingorcreatinggraphicorganizers•Postersandartactivities•Craftsandclassroomdramas•Usinggestureswithsongsandprayers•Expressingresponsethroughdance•Nurturingplantsandanimals•Creatinggardensornatureareas

Person-Related Activities•Cooperativelearningactivities•Peertutoringandsharing•Teachingotherstudents•Gamesandsimulations•Quietprayertimes•Writinganddrawinginjournals•Creatingautobiographies•Self-assessmentactivities

Teaching Trends•Buildinmorediscovery.•Putcontentincontext.•Poseproblemsfirstandteachsecond.•Givefewerconclusions.• Integratedigitallearning.•Usehigher-levelthinkingtechniques.

Kinds of Smart

LogicSmart

NatureSmart

ImageSmart

SoundSmart

WordSmart

PeopleSmart

BodySmartSelfSmart

8

28 Grade 3

The learning process can occur in any place, anywhere, at any time. Our Master Teacher, Jesus, taught while he was walking, sitting on a hillside, preaching in the synagogue, or conversing in a home. Jesus modeled a variety of ways to teach through telling stories, asking questions, offering compassion, and challenging others. He also knew that the physical needs of people must be met so they can focus on God’s message. A caring, child-centered environment helps invite young people to discipleship. Since passing on faith is a sacred task, it deserves the creation of sacred space.

Prayer SpaceEvery learning enviroment shold integrate a catechetical space that is focused around an age-appropriate prayer space. Here are some suggestions:

•Cover the table with an attractive cloth that matches the liturgical season.

•Place a crucifix at the highest point in the prayer space.

•Place a candle on the surface of the table as a sign of the light of faith. Light the candle only during the prayer service. Use an electric or flameless candle if school fire regulations require it.

•Enthrone an open Bible on the table. The opening lesson in your student book includes a prayer service for enthroning the Bible on the first day of class.

•Place a plant or other objects in the prayer space to symbolize the lesson theme or the liturgical season.

•You may want to consider placing a cell phone, laptop, or another type of technology in the prayer space. Make sure it is turned off ! This can indicate to your learners that digital media, when used properly, can be used to communicate the Christian message.

Be Capable . . . Designing the EnvironmentThe most important task of the catechesis of children is to provide,

through the witness of adults, an environment in which young people can grow in faith. National Directory for Catechesis 48E.2

Grade 3 29

Learning SpaceNow it’s time for careful consideration of the other aspects of your sacred learning space. How will you create a distinctive space for catechesis? Here are some questions to help you create a student-centered learning environment that will encourage faith reflection:

•Are chairs or desks arranged in such a way as to promote cooperative learning? Is the arrangement flexible to allow for individual, small, and large group learning experiences?

•Can you easily transition the young people to the prayer space for a more solemn reading of Bible stories and prayer services?

•Can you adjust lighting during reflective activities or prayer services?

•How can you display student activities? Is there a way to use liturgical colors in the learning area beyond the prayer space?

•Do you have some reflective music available for use in prayer services and reflective activities? As you know, music can help to set the mood appropriately to signal that the class is moving into a more sacred time. Consider using the Be My Disciples Music Program to enhance the learners’ knowledge of liturgical music and experience of prayer.

Learning MaterialsYou will need the usual essentials: pencils, pens, paper, and some art supplies. Here are a few other items you will want to have available to enhance your religion classes:

•Materials for the prayer space

•A class set of Bibles

•Maps of the Bible lands

•Photos and posters that match the lesson themes

•General literature titles connected to the lesson themes

•A DVD/CD player

How will you incorporate digital learning solutions to engage these young learners, and where can they be incorporated into the physical space? Discuss with your principal or catechetical leader what resources are available and learn how to use them. If you have a smartphone or laptop and have Internet access in the classroom, there are many resources at BeMyDisciples.com that could enhance your classroom lessons. The Church asks us to “proclaim the Gospel to the world of youth with courage and creativity” (General Directory for Catechesis 181). Jesus used all the means available to him in his own time to invite others to conversion, and so should you!

For Reflection What can you do to plan an effective sacred learning space for your lessons?

How can you create an inviting climate for prayer that will deepen the experience for your learners?

Take a look at the Echoes of Faith Plus module “Getting Started” for ideas on creating a positive environment for catechesis. Go to EchoesofFaith.com for more resources.

FOR FURTHER STUDY

30 Grade 3

To teach others to pray requires, first of all, that you are a person of prayer yourself. Your students look to you as an example of what a prayerful person looks like. Prayer is listening with openness to God’s Word, and responding in faith, hope, and love. Our response involves a willingness to spend time with God, to ponder the words of Scripture, to discern God’s message to us, and to respond with our whole selves—body, mind, and heart. Spending daily time alone with God in an attitude of openness and thanksgiving will transform you and prepare you to be the inspiration to the children that you hope to be and that they deserve.

Worship is simply the prayer of the Church. We gather together to lay our lives before God the Father, to praise him and give thanks for the gift of his love, and to join with his Son in offering our lives for his service. That is why the Catechism of the Catholic Church refers to liturgy as “the participation of the People of God in the work of God” (1069). Liturgical celebrations weave together signs and symbols drawn from our human experience—words and actions, singing and music, and sacred images. An artful blending of these elements produces a worship experience that can evoke for us the mystery of God and lead us to a fruitful response.

As the students experience such gestures as signing,

anointing, blessing, and kneeling within the intimacy of your classroom setting, you will be preparing them to participate more fully in the worship of the whole community. Just as you have certain ways of praying with which you are most comfortable, you will find that children have their preferences too. The many approaches that are included in the Be My Disciples program will provide a true school of prayer for your learners.

How Be My Disciples Will Help You•Beginning and closing prayer experiences in every

lesson

•A rich variety of prayer experiences using the signs, symbols, and gestures of the Church’s liturgy whenever appropriate

•An exposition of the rich variety of the Church’s tradition of prayer, liturgy, and Sacraments

•Tips for enhancing the classroom prayer experiences

•A closing chapter on the Our Father that summarizes the year’s Gospel message

For Reflection How do you create opportunities in your daily life to hear the voice of God speaking to you?

What forms of prayer will you most enjoy leading for your learners?

Be Committed . . . Being A Person of PrayerLiturgical formation . . . must explain what the Christian liturgy is, and what the

sacraments are. It must also however, offer an experience of the different kinds of celebration and it must make symbols, gestures, etc., known and loved.

General Directory for Catechesis 87

See the Echoes of Faith Plus “Prayer and Spirituality” and “Liturgy and Sacraments” modules. Go to EchoesofFaith.com for more resources.

FOR FURTHER STUDY

A Snapshot of Me

My name is

My favorite story is

The thing I like best about my Church is

A game I like to play with my friends is

Learning About the Catholic ChurchThe Church is like a house of faith. In each of the rooms we can learn more about what Catholics believe, how we celebrate, how Jesus calls us to live, and how we pray. Do the activity on these pages to discover some things we will learn about this year.

Welcome to

Unit 1: We Believe, Part OneWrite three words that describe what God made (see page 26).

Examples:

Welcome to

6

Earth plants people

WelcomeCreating an inviting environment is an important part of everything you do with the students. Before your first class, prepare nametags for them. Greet each student as they arrive. This will help them feel safe and ready to learn. The first day of classes provide the opportunity for you to get to know the students. By setting realistic expectations, introducing them to their new books, and creating an atmosphere of prayer and hospitality, they will know they are welcome.

InviteGive each student a nametag with their name on it. You can find additional introduction activities at BeMyDisciples.com.

Discover and Involve→ Tell the students that they will

now complete the activities on pages 6 and 7.

→ Have the students read “Learning About the Catholic Church.”

→ Read to the class the Unit 1 activity. Have them turn to page 26 and work with a partner to complete it.

Student Page 6 Grade 3 41

visit www.BeMyDisciples.com

→ Share with the children the many activities on the Faith First Web site.

→ Encourage the children to visit www.BeMyDisciples.com

→ Point out the title and theme of next week’s chapter to the children.

Unit 2: We Believe, Part TwoComplete the sentence to tell what the Paschal Mystery is (see page 68).

The Paschal Mystery is the ,

, and of Jesus Christ.

Unit 3: We Worship, Part OneWhat are the three Sacraments of Christian Initiation? (See page 147.)

Unit 4: We Worship, Part TwoThrough which two Sacraments do many men and women serve the whole Church? (See page 202.)

Unit 5: We Live, Part OneWhich Commandments teach us to respect others and ourselves? (See page 255.)

Unit 6: We Live, Part TwoFind the name of a woman who regained her faith in God and become a Saint. (see page 282).

7

Death

Resurrection Ascension

Baptism Confirmation Eucharist

Holy Orders

the last seven Commandments

Edith Stein, or Saint Benedicta of the Cross

Matrimony

42 Grade 3 Student Page 7

→ Write the phrase “Paschal Mystery” on the board. Ask the students to tell what they know about it. Invite them to turn to page 71 in order to find the words to complete the sentence.

→ Tell the students to look at the Unit 3 box. Ask them to read the sentence and turn to page 147 to find the missing words.

→ Ask the students if they know which of the Church’s two Sacraments help Christians serve the whole Church. For the Unit 4 activity, have them find the names of the two Sacraments on pages 203 and 213 and write them in the space provided.

→ Ask the class to read the Unit 5 activity. Ask them to turn to page 255 to find the answer to the question. Then ask them to write it on the line provided.

→ Read to the class the Unit 6 activity. Have the students turn to page 282 and find the name of a Jewish girl from Poland who became a Catholic and has been named a Saint. Then have the students write the name on the line.

Lord, we gather to listen to your word. Help us remember how to serve others as you did.

We will do as you ask.

During the meal, Jesus got up from the table. He poured water into a bowl and began to wash his disciples’ feet. He dried their feet with a towel. When Jesus finished, he said, “I have given you an example. Do what I have done.” Based on John 13:4–5, 15

The Gospel of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Come forward and reverence the Bible by bowing before it.

Leader

All

Leader

All

Do What I Have Done

8

Pray→ Invite the students to prepare for

prayer. Reverently hold a Bible slightly above your head and lead them in procession to the prayer space.

→ Teach the students to echo, or repeat after you, the parts of the prayer marked, “All.”

→ After a moment of silence, lead the class in praying Do What I Have Done. Use a hand gesture to invite the students to join in when you want them to pray their parts of the prayer.

→ After the prayer, place the Bible on the prayer table and reverence the Bible by standing before it and slightly bowing your head. Invite each student to come forward and do the same.

→ Thank the students for being good learners. Invite them to experience the feeling of this sacred prayer space throughout all their classes and the coming school year.

Creating a Prayer Space. Having a prayer space that is decorated in a special way will help the students realize the importance of prayer. Display the Bible in your prayer space in such a way that shows its importance. Talk about respecting the Bible. Always hold the Bible reverently when you proclaim God’s Word. Before you pray together, allow a moment of quiet time and share with the class that God is with them.

Student Page 8 Grade 3 43

TEACHING TIP

44

We BelievePart One

ObjectivesIn this unit, the students will learn:

→ God gives us the gift of faith to help us know and believe in him.

→ God created every person in God’s image and likeness.

→ Jesus, true God and true man, is the Son of God and the son of Mary.

→ Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the Savior that God promised to send.

Spiritual InsightsGod makes himself known to us through Revelation

in order to both give us something and to draw a response from us. Both this gift of God and our response to his Revelation are called faith. By faith, we are able to give our minds and hearts to God, to trust in his will, and to follow the direction he gives us”(United States

Catholic Catechism for Adults, Washington, D.C.: USCCB, 2006).

“It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).

Living the Six Tasks of CatechesisPromoting Knowledge of the Faith:

Saint Robert Bellarmine (1542–1621)

Even as a young boy in Italy, Robert felt called to serve God as a priest. After years of study, he was ordained a Jesuit priest. His first assignment was teaching Greek at a boys’ school. Robert was successful only because he

first taught himself the language by staying one lesson ahead of his students in the textbook.

Robert had a gift for preaching. People traveled great distances to hear him explain the Scriptures and to defend the faith during the challenges of the Reformation. He also wrote two catechisms to help people grow in their understanding of the Catholic doctrine. Although he became a bishop and then a cardinal, he never lost his thirst for learning and teaching.

Cardinal Bellarmine lived a very simple life, even when he lived in a lavish apartment in the Vatican while serving as the Pope’s official theologian. It is said that he took down the hangings that decorated his walls and donated the fabric to clothe the poor. When he was quizzed about his empty walls, he showed his sense of humor by declaring, “The walls won’t catch cold.”

Saint Robert Bellarmine is an excellent model for teachers. He reminds us to be proud of our calling to profess our faith in Jesus and the Church.

Sharing Your Faith Find a partner to work with: a spouse, a friend, a fellow teacher. Come together at the beginning or end of each unit for shared prayer and discussion. Use the questions below as a starting point. As an alternative, record your thoughts in a personal journal.

→ What three words describe your journey of faith?

→ How has God made himself known to you?

→ What prompted you to become a teacher in a Catholic school?

UNIT 1

UNIT 1We Believe Part One

Jesus and his disciples were in a boat on the Sea of Galilee. All of a sudden, a violent storm blew in. The disciples were afraid they were going to drown.

Jesus was asleep! The disciples woke him up and yelled, “Lord, save us! We are going to die!”

Jesus said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Where is your faith?”

Then Jesus stood up and said to the winds and the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” At once the storm was over.

The disciples were amazed. They asked each other: “Who can make the winds and sea obey?” Based on Matthew 8:23–27

Calming the Sea

9

Unit 1 OpenerThe Unit 1 opener pages assess the children’s prior knowledge about the key faith concepts in the unit. Processing these pages should take no more than fifteen minutes.

Opening PageInvite the children to tell you what they

see in the image on the page. Proclaim the Scripture story about the Calming of the Sea. Ask: What did Jesus mean when he asked, “Do you have so little faith?” How would you have answered Jesus’ question? Do not respond to the students’ answers at this time.

Getting ReadyThis page continues the activation of prior

knowledge. Do not correct the children’s responses. You will invite them to return and self-correct themselves at the end of the unit.

→ Invite the children to write their responses to the questions under What I Know and A Question I Have.

→ Tell them that you will return to their questions at the end of the unit and see what they have learned.

→ Ask them to look at the next page and begin Chapter 1.

10

What I KnowWhat is something you already know about these faith concepts?

The Kingdom of God

Messiah

Put an X next to the faith terms you know. Put a ? next to faith terms you need to learn more about.

Incarnation Annunciation

Holy Trinity Messiah

Divine Providence Creator

What do you know about the story of Creation in the Bible?

A Question I HaveWhat question would you like to ask about Mary the Mother of God?

45Student pages 9, 10

46

For Reflection

CHAPTER 1

How has Sacred Scripture become a living source of faith in my life?

How often do I turn to God’s Word as a source for reflection and prayer?

The Living Word of GodTo understand the importance of Sacred Scripture in the life of faith, we need to dwell on the phrase “the Word of God.” What does this phrase really mean?

The root of the phrase “the Word of God” is the Hebrew word dabar. If we opened a Hebrew-English dictionary, we would see that dabar translates into “word.” What we may not catch by reading a translation of the word dabar is that for the Hebrews, dabar is a very dynamic word.

The Hebrew understanding of dabar includes the concept of “word” being a living and active communication of the person who speaks. In the Judeo-Christian faith tradition, we understand the Word of God as God’s communication of himself.

No wonder we reverence the Scripture in liturgy. No wonder we use such phrases as “being nourished by the Word of God.” God’s Revelation of himself in Scripture creates, produces, and ultimately redeems us.

One Living WordThe Revelation of God to humankind is not merely a long-ago event. While nothing essential has been added to the content of Revelation since the death of the last Apostle, we continue, even today, to deepen our understanding of that unique Revelation.

Sacred Scripture is food for our souls. Both the Old Testament and the New Testament flow from the one font, the Word of God. From his Word, we draw strength for nourishing our faith. The living God spoke not only in the past continues to converse with and through the Church. Together with Tradition, Sacred Scripture is the “supreme rule of faith,” since it transmits “the very word of God” and makes “to resound . . . the voice of the Holy Spirit.” (General Directory for Catechesis 127)

The writings of Sacred Scripture revolve around Jesus Christ. All of Scripture is thus interpreted in the light of Jesus’ Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Sacred Scripture, interpreted from within the Tradition of the Church, forms the living heart of Church’s teaching. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we continue to reap the truth of God’s Covenant of love and draw strength from the one living Word of God.

BACKGROUND

The Word of GodFaith is one of the three Theological Virtues. Faith is both a gift from God and our response to that gift. It is both a divine invitation and the human response to come to know and believe in him, the One who is the beginning and end of all. God’s Word to us is an invitation to faith.

SpeaksGod

Usto

Grade 3

47

Teacher PrayerGod, the Holy Trinity, work through me this week. May I be a living sign of the presence of your caring love with us and for us. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Church Teaches…God’s Revelation is the self-disclosure of the loving communion of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in which he makes know the mystery of his divine plan. . . . God’s self-communication is realized gradually through his actions and his words. It is most fully achieved in the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ” (National Directory for Catechesis, 28).

By approaching religious studies as a mystery to unravel, you can use each chapter to elicit excitement in the children and help them build an enduring relationship with God.

Further Reading and ReflectionFor more related teachings of the Catholic Church on Divine Revelation and the mystery of the Holy Trinity, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 232–260; and the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, pages 49–63.

Teacher to TeacherBelievingYou and your students are about to begin a wonderful journey of faith. Believe that your generosity in accepting the call to be a religion teacher will be rewarded in ways that may or may not be clear to you right away. Believe that the Holy Spirit will be with you and with the students every step of the way. You and each of them have the ability to share your faith and to grow in faith.

Learning to BelieveNone of us fully understands the Trinity. But we each have our own experience of this great mystery. Some of us feel God the Father’s love embracing us each day. Some of us ask the Spirit to help us do those things that we are afraid we cannot do on our own. Some of us turn to Jesus as our friend and confidant. Most third graders already have some sense of the Trinity. As they grow, their understanding will deepen. As their teacher and catechist, you will have a role to play in this. Do your best, and trust God to do the rest!

To explore Sacred Scripture as God’s Word

Pages 11–13

→ Proclaim and discuss Mark 9:2–7 (The Transfiguration).

→ Learn about Saint Francis of Assisi.

Disciple Power: Love

Activity: Decorate a “Come Follow Me” card.

Bible

Pencils

Crayons or markers

Enriching the Lesson: Teacher Guide, page 61 Making a Cartoon Strip

To discover that God reveals himself to us

Pages 14–15

→ Learn that God reveals the mystery of the Holy Trinity.

Faith Vocabulary: faith, Holy Trinity

Catholics Believe: Creeds of the Church

Activity: Complete a prayer to the Holy Trinity.

Bible

Pencils

Crayons/markers

Index cards

Enriching the Lesson: Teacher Guide, page 61 Making Faith Pennants Literature Connection:

Our Tree Named Steve

To discover ways God tells us about himself

Pages 16–17

→ Explain that the Old Testament tells us of God’s creation and his Covenant with the Israelites.

Faith-Filled People: The Evangelists

Scripture: Holy writings come to us from God (2 Timothy 3:15–16).

Activity: Draw or write about your favorite person in the Bible.

Bible

Pencils

Crayons or markers

To decide on a response to the lesson on the Word of God

Pages 18–19

→ Identify the New Testament as stories about Jesus.

Scripture: the first Christians (Acts of the Apostles 2:42, 45–47).

Activity: Draw about living as a disciple of Jesus.

My Faith Choice: Choose to read the Bible this week.

Additional Activities Booklet: Activities 1a and 1b or see BeMyDisciples.com

To reflect on and pray to the Holy Trinity in English and Spanish

Pages 20–22

→ REVIEW Review concepts: Recall, Reflect, and Share.

→ PRAY Glory to God

→ Grade 3 Music CD

Bible, cross, candle for prayer space, pencils

Assessment Tools Booklet: Assessments 1a and 1b

Preview the With My Family page and the theme of the next chapter.

Focus

Focus

Focus

Focus

Focus

LESSON PART PROCESS MATERIALS and RESOURCES

DAY 1 EXPLORE

DAY 2 DISCOVER

DAY 3 DISCOVER

DAY 4 DECIDE

DAY 5 CONCLUDE

Grade 348

Lesson PlannerTo learn that the writings in the Bible are holy because they are the Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit

Goal

Chapter 1 God Speaks to Us

BeMyDisciples.com

Assign online Chapter Review at

EXPLOREDAY 1

�When�someone�speaks�to�you,�why�is�it�important�to�listen�carefully?�

Listen�to�these�words�from�Mark’s�Gospel:

One day, Jesus took James, Peter, and John up on a high mountain. While they were there, Jesus’ clothes turned bright white. A cloud covered the place, and a voice from a cloud said, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” Based on Mark 9:2–7

Who�was�speaking�to�the�disciples�from�the�cloud?�

SpeaksGod

Usto

CHAPTER

1EXPLORE the story of Saint Francis of Assisi.

DISCOVER the different ways that God reveals himself to us.

DECIDE how you will come to know God better.

Looking AheadIn this chapter, the Holy Spirit will help you to →

11

49Student page 11

Pray→ Invite the students to pray an Act

of Faith, or one of the prayers in the back of their books, Catholic Prayers and Practices. Begin and end with the Sign of the Cross.

→ Invite the students to respond to the opening questions.

Reflect→ Invite the students to look at the

pictures on the page. Pause and ask them to close their eyes and imagine being with Jesus on a high mountain.

→ Then prayerfully read the introduction to the Scripture and Scripture passage aloud.

→ Pause for a moment. Have the students open their eyes. Tell them what God the Father said to James, Peter, and John about Jesus. (This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.)

→ Ask them how carefully they listen to Jesus.

Focus→ Remind the children that God is

always with them and that God speaks to us through the Bible.

→ Point out the Looking Ahead feature on the top of the student page. Have volunteers read the sentence under each heading to find out what they are going to learn in this chapter.

Learning by Human Experience. The National Directory for Catechesis explains that, through human experience and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we come to learn the truths of the faith (NDC, ). Be mindful that our relationship with God is mediated through our human experience. The students come to religion class with prior human and religious experiences that you will elicit through questions in each chapter. In addition to learning each week’s lesson, we grow in faith by sharing our experiences and by listening to the experiences of others. It is important that you offer the students opportunities to share what they already know and have experienced.

HUMAN METHODOLOGIES

EXPLOREDAY 1

The Church Follows

JesusDisciple Power

Love

Love is a gift from God. It is the virtue that God gives us to love him above everyone and everything else and to love other people because of our love for him.

Saint Francis of AssisiSaint�Francis�lived�in�Assisi,�Italy.�His�

family�was�very�wealthy.�His�father�sold�fabric�that�people�used�to�make�clothes,�curtains,�and�other�things.�But�having�money�did�not�make�Francis�happy.�

Francis�was�looking�for�real�happiness.�He�asked�God�to�show�him�how�he�could�love�God�above�everyone�and�everything.�

One�day�while�Francis�was�praying,�he�asked�God�how�he�could�show�that�he�loved�him�above�everyone�and�everything.�Francis�took�a�Bible,�opened�it�and�read�these�words�of�Jesus:

“Go sell what you have, and give it to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” Based on Mark 10:21

What�did�God�say�to�Francis�in�the�Bible?�

12

Student page 1250

Introduce→ Invite the students to listen as you

read or paraphrase the story of Saint Francis and how he listened to God through the Bible.

→ Point out Disciple Power and ask a volunteer to read it aloud. Share that the virtue of love is a gift from God, a power that allows us to love him above everyone and everything else.

Reinforce→ Ask the students the following

questions:

What was Francis’ family like? Was Francis happy? How did Francis show the virtue

of love for God?

→ Continue the discussion, using the questions on the page. What did God say to Francis in the Bible? (Go sell what you have, and give it to the poor; then come, follow me.)

ConnectAsk: What has God said to you in the Bible? Allow time for the students to think this over. Be prepared to offer an example of your own for the children. Invite them to share their answers.

Connecting with the Gospel. Help the students look up in their Bibles the Scripture story that inspired Saint Francis. They can begin to make the connection between the words written in their religion book and the words written in the Bible. This may also be an opportunity to teach or review how to locate Scripture stories in the Bible. Help the children memorize Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in that order. Explain that the four Gospels follow this order in the Bible. Knowing the order makes it is easier to find the one they are looking for. It is like knowing the alphabet. Ask the children to find the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Then ask them to locate Mark 10:17–21. For another practice, try Mark 9:2–7, the account of the Transfiguration from the opening prayer.

TEACHING TIP

EXPLOREDAY 1

Come Follow Me

A Disciple of JesusFrancis�believed�that�the�Bible�was�God’s�

Word�to�him.�He�believed�that�when�he�read�the�Bible,�God�was�speaking�to�him.�

Francis�wanted�to�live�as�a�disciple�of�Jesus.�He�listened�to�God’s�Word�and�he�did�what�Jesus�said.�

Francis�gave�his�money�to�the�poor�and�he�became�poor�himself.�He�told�people�to�listen�to�Jesus.�He�told�them�to�be�happy�by�following�Jesus.�

Soon,�people�noticed�how�happy�Francis�was.�They�wanted�to�be�happy�too,�so�they�listened�to�him.�Today�many�men�and�women�live�as�Franciscan�priests,�brothers,�and�sisters.

How�did�Francis�listen�to�the�words�of�Jesus?�

Activity Decorate a card that says “Come Follow Me.” Place it where you can see it every day. It will remind you to follow Jesus.

13

51Student page 13

Introduce→ Ask the students what they think

Francis will do, and why?

→ Read the first two paragraphs. Point out that Francis did what the man in the Gospel could not do. Call on volunteers to read the next two paragraphs.

ReinforcePose these questions to the class: What did Francis believe about the Bible? (It is God’s Word.) Did Francis listen to God’s Word? (Yes, he did what Jesus asked.) How does being Jesus’ disciple change us? (The man in the Gospel went away sad. Francis found happiness.)

Connect→ Begin the activity by carefully

reading Jesus’ words again.

→ Invite the students to imagine Jesus speaking the words to them.

→ While the students are sketching their ideas, distribute large index cards and markers.

→ Invite the students to ask themselves: What is Jesus asking me to do so that I can be a better disciple?

→ Encourage the children to place their cards where they will see them every day.

PrayRead:

A voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”

Then ask the children to repeat after you:

“Jesus, help me listen to you today. Amen.”

DISCIPLE POWER

Love. We often begin discussions on love by talking about ways we can love God and our neighbor. Talk with the students today about ways that they can love themselves. These include:

→ taking care of our bodies by eating the right foods, exercising, getting enough rest, and practicing good hygiene

→ forming good friendships and relationships with others

→ practicing generosity, kindness, and compassion

→ discovering and developing our talents

→ doing things that bring us joy

→ developing our relationship with God through prayer and worship.

DISCOVERDAY 2

Faith FocusWhat has God told us about himself?

Faith Vocabularyfaith Faith is a gift from God. It helps us believe in God and all that he has revealed.

Holy Trinity The Holy Trinity is the mystery of One God in Three Divine Persons—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

God Speaks to UsGod�has�shown�his�love�for�us�by�telling�us�

about�himself.�We�really�could�never�come�to�know�who�God�is�on�our�own.�Most�of�what�we�know�about�him,�God�himself�has�revealed,�or�made�known�to�us.�

God�gives�us�the�gift�of�faith.�Faith�helps�us�know�and�believe�in�God.�He�helps�us�know�and�believe�in�what�he�has�revealed.�Faith�helps�us�listen�to�what�God�tells�us�about�himself.�Faith�helps�us�come�to�know�who�God�is.

The Holy TrinityGod�has�told�us�that�he�is�the��

Holy Trinity.�He�is�One�God�in�Three�Divine�Persons.�Trinity�means�“three�in�one.”�There�is�One�God�who�is�God�the�Father,�God�the�Son,�and�God�the�Holy�Spirit.�We�believe�in�God�the�Father,�Son,�and�Holy�Spirit�when�we�pray�the�Creeds.

�What�is�one�thing�you�would�like�to�know�about�God?

14

Student page 1452

PrayLead the students in carefully making the Sign of the Cross.

Teach→ Tell the children that some

mysteries in life have solutions. Ask them some examples. Say that we can never fully understand a mystery of faith. Invite a volunteer to read aloud God Speaks to Us.

→ Point out the Faith Vocabulary to the children. Ask volunteers to read the definition of faith aloud.

→ Ask the rest of the class to find the words in the text that define the word faith and read them aloud.

→ Invite a volunteer to read The Holy Trinity. Tell the children that the Holy Trinity is a mystery of faith. It is too deep for us to understand and too wonderful for us to imagine.

→ Ask a volunteer to read the definition of Holy Trinity in the Faith Vocabulary box. Ask the rest of the class to find the words in the text that define the Holy Trinity.

→ Ask the students to look at the illustration and tell how it relates to the Three Persons of the Trinity.

Key ConceptGod is a mystery who reveals, or makes himself known to us.

Using Word Walls. To help reinforce new vocabulary concepts, you may want to create a portable word wall in your classroom. At the beginning of each lesson, write the Faith Vocabulary words on the board or a poster. Ask the students to give ideas as to what the words mean before you write the definitions. Then, if possible, draw simple illustrations to go with the words. Refer to the word wall at different times throughout the year in order to reinforce the words and their meanings. Keep the word wall posted during each class and add to it as the students learn new vocabulary words.

TEACHING TIP

DISCOVER

DISCOVERDAY 2

A Mystery of FaithJesus,�the�Son�of�God,�revealed,�or�made�

this�known�to�us.�We�call�this�the�mystery�of�the�Holy�Trinity.�It�is�a�great�mystery�of�faith.�We�could�never�know�this�about�God�unless�he�told�us.�

�How�would�you�tell�someone�about�the�meaning�of�the�Holy�Trinity?

The Church uses symbols to help us understand the mystery of the Holy Trinity. Look at these symbols. What do you think they tell us about God?

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

Complete this prayer to the Holy Trinity.

Dear God, the Holy Trinity, I praise you for

.

God the Father, I ask you to

.

God the Son, I thank you for

.

God the Holy Spirit, help me to

.

Amen.

Creeds of the Church

A creed is a summary of what someone or a group of people believe. The Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed are summaries of the beliefs of the Church.

Catholics Believe

Activity

15

53Student page 15

Reinforce→ Tell the students that each week

they will be creating review cards for the Faith Vocabulary in the chapters. This week, have the children copy the definitions of faith and Holy Trinity on index cards.

→ Invite a volunteer to read aloud Catholics Believe about the Creeds of the Church. The Creeds summarize what we believe about the Holy Trinity.

ConnectAsk the students to look at the symbols of the Trinity. Give the students time to explore the symbols and make connections with what they have learned about the Three Persons of the Holy Trinity.

PrayAsk the students what prayers they pray to the Holy Trinity. (Sign of the Cross, or Glory Be prayer) Ask them to share times when they pray this prayer by themselves, with their families, or with their friends. Close by praying the Glory Be prayer together.

CROSS-CURRICULAR CONNECTIONSArt and Writing: If you have symbols of the Holy Trinity in your church décor, take the students on a field trip. Have each student take along a sketch pad or paper and pencil. Ask the students to describe in detail or sketch the symbols they see. Gather in church to compare notes and drawings before returning to your classroom.

Math: Discuss the defining features of an equilateral triangle—three equal lines and three equal angles in one structure. Deconstruct the three interlocking circles—three equal circles that share properties but remain distinct.

DISCOVERDAY 3

The Written Word of GodThe�Bible�is�the�written�Word�of�God.�God�

the�Holy�Spirit�inspired�God’s�people�to�write�the�Bible.�They�wrote�what�God�wanted�his�people�to�know.

God�wants�us�to�know�and�to�love�him.��We�cannot�love�God�unless�we�know�him��first.�God�revealed�himself�by�his�own�Word,�the�Bible.

The�Bible�is�also�called�Sacred�Scripture.�Sacred�Scripture�means�“holy�writings.”��In�the�Bible�we�read,

Always remember that the holy writings come to us from God. They teach us to know what is right and to do what is good. In that way, we belong to God.

Based on 2 TiMoThy 3:15–17

�How�does�the�Bible�help�you�to�know�and�love�God?

Faith FocusWhat does the Bible teach us about God?

16

PrayLead the students in the Sign of the Cross. Pray:

God, help us listen to your Word today.

The children answer:

“Amen.”

Teach→ Invite the students to name when

and where they have heard or read the Word of God.

→ Ask the students to silently read The Written Word of God to learn more about the Bible. Assure the students that God speaks to us each time we hear or read God’s Word.

→ Reread the Scripture passage to the students and emphasize that the Bible is the written Word of God. The Bible helps us to know and love God, and live as his children.

ReinforceDirect the students to the reflection question. Allow several volunteers to share their responses to each of the questions.

Teach→ Call on volunteers to read The Old

Testament. Explain that the Old Testament tells the story of God’s People who were waiting for Jesus. The New Testament tells about the coming of Jesus, his teachings, and the people who are his disciples in the Church.

Key ConceptGod reveals himself to us in the Bible, the written Word of God.

Enthrone the Bible. Prepare a small table, shelf or window sill in your prayer area. Place a bookstand or colorful cloth for the Bible. Include an enclosed candle (if permitted) or an electric candle and a live green plant or cut flowers to show that the Word of God is living among you. Invite one student to hold the Bible high as you lead the class in a solemn procession to your prayer area. Light the candle. Open the Bible and proclaim Psalm 119:105. Place the open Bible on the bookstand or cloth. Invite each student to step forward and bow to show reverence to the Word of God. Conclude with a hymn or responsorial psalm that the students know well.

TEACHING TIPS

Student page 1654

DISCOVER

DISCOVERDAY 3

The Old TestamentThe�Bible�has�two�main�parts.�They�are�the�

Old�Testament�and�the�New�Testament.�The�Old�Testament�tells�us�that�God�created�the�world.�He�loves�everything�and�everyone�he�created.�The�Old�Testament�also�tells�us�about�the�very�special�promises�God�and�his�people�in�the�Old�Testament�made�with�each�other.�We�learn�about�the�promises�made�to�Noah,�Abraham,�Moses�and�the�Israelites,�and�to�the�prophets.

God�promised�to�always�love�his�people�and�to�take�care�of�them.�God’s�people�promised�that�God�would�be�the�center�of�their�lives.�We�call�the�promises�that�God�and�his�people�made�to�each�other�the�Covenant.

�What�does�the�Old�Testament�teach�us?

Draw or write about your favorite person in the Bible. What have you learned about God from this person? Write your ideas, and then share your thoughts.

The Evangelists

The four Gospels represent the testimonies of Saint Matthew, Saint Mark, Saint Luke, and Saint John about Jesus Christ. They are called the four Evangelists. The word evangelist means “announcer of good news.” Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John announce the Gospel, or the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Faith-Filled People

Activity

17

→ Ask the students to read the Faith-Filled People feature silently.

→ Distribute Bibles to the students. Help them locate the Old Testament and the beginning of the New Testament. Ask them to find the Gospels and discover their order in the Bible. Have the students repeat the names of the Gospels in order—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Explain that knowing this will help them find a particular Gospel more quickly.

ReinforceWrite the headings Old Testament and New Testament on the board. Ask the students to help you list what each part of the Bible tells us.

Connect→ Brainstorm a list of favorite Bible

stories with the students. Ask what they like about these stories.

→ Ask them to complete the activity by drawing or writing about their favorite Bible person in the Bible. Then ask what they learned about God from that story or person. Share answers.

PrayGather at the table where you have enthroned the Bible. Reverently hold up the Bible and say,

“The Word of God.”

Ask the children to reply:

“The Word of God. Amen.”

The Evangelists. Each of the four Evangelists—Saint Matthew, Saint Mark, Saint Luke, and Saint John—wrote their Gospels with a particular audience in mind. Saint Matthew wrote for the early Christians who were experiencing the tension between Gentiles and Jews. Saint Mark provided a vivid account of the life of Jesus and what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Saint Luke emphasized the mercy and compassion of Jesus. He wanted us to discover the joy of being welcomed and accepted by God. Saint John emphasized the signs and wonders of Jesus and insisted that Christian practice and belief must be rooted in Jesus. For more information on each of the four Evangelists, go to the Saints Resource at BeMyDisciples.com.

FAITH-FILLED PEOPLE

55Student page 17

DISCOVERDAY 4

Jesus Tells Us About GodThe�New�Testament�tells�us�about�Jesus�

and�his�teachings.�Jesus�told�us�the�most�about�God.�Everything�that�Jesus�said�and�did�showed�people�how�much�God�loves�them.

Many�years�after�Jesus�returned�to�Heaven,�Saint�Matthew,�Saint�John,�Saint�Mark,�and�Saint�Luke�wrote�down�what�they�remembered�about�Jesus.�The�Church�has�gathered��together�these�writings,�called�Gospels,�in��the�New�Testament.

The Early ChurchThe�New�Testament�tells�us�that�many�

people�listened�to�Jesus�and�saw�what�he�did.�They�came�to�believe�in�Jesus.�Those�who�follwed�Jesus�and�came�to�believe�in�him�are�called�his�disciples.�They�were�the�first�members�of�the�Church.�Some�of�Jesus’�closest�disciples,�called�the�Apostles,�were�the�first�leaders�of�the�Church.

After�Jesus�rose�from�the�dead�and�returned�to�Heaven,�the�followers�of�Jesus�gathered�together.

They listened to the teachings of the Apostles. They cared for one another. They prayed together. They broke bread together and praised God. Based on acTs of The aposTles 2:42, 45–47

Today�the�Church�still�tells�us�about�Jesus.�

What�do�the�Gospels�teach�us?

Faith FocusWhat does the New Testament tell us about Jesus?

18

PrayProclaim 2 Timothy 3:15–17 on page 16.

Teach→ Ask the children to recall what is

in the New Testament. First are the four Gospels. Point out that the Gospels tell us about Jesus and his teachings and the disciples who followed Jesus. The New Testament also tells us what happened after Jesus returned to his Father in Heaven. Ask the students if anyone knows what happened.

→ Invite the class to listen for what the followers of Jesus did together. Call on volunteers to read The Early Church aloud.

→ Have the class read together Acts 2:42, 45–47. Ask if it sounds familiar. (It describes our Church today.)

ReinforceEmphasize that the Catholic Church helps us come to know God, just as the Apostles helped the early Church.

ConnectAsk the follow-up question. (The Gospels tell about the life and works of Jesus.)

Key ConceptThe New Testament tells us about Jesus, his teachings, and the early Church.

Acts 2:42–47. In these few verses of the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we catch a glimpse of the work and worship of the early Church. We also see the elements of Eucharistic liturgy as it is celebrated today. For over two thousand years, as reflected in this passage, the community of believers has come together to listen to God’s Word, to share the Eucharist, to pray on behalf of the Church, the world; those in need, the sick, and the dying, and to offer her gifts of time, talent, and treasure for the good of the Church and for all in need. This faithfulness through the generations has inspired many to join the Church through the Sacraments of Initiation, and to share in her work of proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ to all.

LITURGY CONNECTION

Student page 1856

DISCOVER

DECIDEDAY 4

Activity

The�Holy�Spirit�helps�us�make�good�choices�and�live�as�disciples�of�Jesus.�We�live�as�disciples�of�Jesus�when�we�listen�to�God’s�Word.

Living as a Disciple of Jesus

I FollowJesus

Think about some of the good ways that disciples of Jesus show their love for others at home, at school or with friends. Draw three scenes from your story in the spaces below.

Pray,“Holy Spirit, help me to live each day as a disciple of Jesus. Amen.”

Disciples of Jesus read the Bible often and listen to what God wants them to do. When will you read the Bible? This week, I will

.

My Faith Choice

19

ReinforceRead the opening paragraph to the students reinforcing that the Bible helps us live as disciples of Jesus. The Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Holy Trinity, gives us the help we need.

RespondAsk the students to think about some of the ways they live as a disciple of Jesus at home, at a school, and when they are with their friends. Discuss, and then ask them to write or draw a story that tells how to live as a disciple of Jesus.

Choose→ Tell the students that at the end

of each lesson they will be given time to respond to the My Faith Choice and pray for God’s help to live as disciples during the next week.

→ After a moment of prayerful silence, ask the students to write their choices on the lines provided. Then ask them to take a moment and pray to the Holy Spirit about how they can be good disciples of Jesus.

→ Encourage the students to put their choices into practice this week.

TEACHING TIPMy Faith Choice. The weekly My Faith Choice is an important part of the students’ faith formation. It insures that the lesson does not end when the students leave the classroom. You may wish to have the students record their Faith Choices in a notebook or simple handmade journal. When they return the following week, they can review the choice they made and use their journal pages to record their progress. If the students make journals, provide them with sheets of lined paper and two sheets of art paper or poster board to use as covers. Bind the journals with brads. You can also invite them to decorate their notebooks to personalize them as their Faith Journals for the year.

57Student page 19

CONCLUDEDAY 5

TO HELP YOU REMEMBER

1. God gives us the gift of faith to help us know and believe in him.

2. God speaks to us through the Bible.

3. God speaks to us through the Church.

Chapter ReviewRecallIdentify and write the name of one of the Three Persons of the Holy Trinity on each side of the triangle. On the line to the left of the triangle, write the name of the Person who revealed the Holy Trinity to us.

ReflectHow is faith a gift of God? How does faith help you be a disciple of Jesus?

Persons of the Holy Trinity

Jesus Christ

God

the

Fath

er God the Son

God the Holy Spirit

Share one thing that Jesus told us about God that you can tell others.Share

20

God gave the gift of faith so we can know and

believe in him. Faith helps us listen to God. Affirm

appropriate responses about being disciples of

Jesus.

Student page 2058

Promoting Knowledge of the Faith. From her beginning, the Church has expressed her faith in brief formulae known as creeds. The Church’s earliest profession of faith was “Jesus is Lord.” By the fourth century the western Church developed a Trinitarian profession of faith that we know today as the Apostles’ Creed. In the East, a conciliar creed, known as the Nicene Creed, emerged in the fourth century. In the East this creed was used as the baptismal creed; in the West it was used within the celebration of the Eucharist. Together the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed have stood through the centuries as symbols of the Church’s faith.

TASKS OF CATECHESIS

PrayInvite the students to quiet themselves and remember that God is always present. Slowly and reverently pray the Sign of the Cross together.

RecallAsk the students to write the names of the Three Persons of the Holy Trinity on the sides of the triangle. Then have them complete the sentence. There are Three Divine Persons in One God.

ReflectRead the reflection questions and give the students time to write thoughtful responses.

ShareYou may facilitate this exercise by asking the children for ideas. Make two lists on the board: What God Revealed about Himself and What Jesus Told Us about God. Add anything you covered in the chapter that is missing from the lists. Tell the students they may select things from the lists or they may write a new idea. Call on volunteers to share answers to both parts of the activity.

DISCOVER

CONCLUDEDAY 5

Glory to GodThe word glory means “great honor and praise.” In prayer we give great honor and praise to God.

Pray this prayer to the Holy Trinity aloud with your class in Spanish or in English. Pray it at home with your family and alone in silence.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son Gloria al Padre y al Hijo

and to the Holy Spirit, y al Espíritu Santo.

as it was in the beginning Como era en el principio

is now, and ever shall be ahora y siempre, y por los

world without end. Amen. siglos de los siglos. Amén.

21

59Student page 21

TEACHING TIPPraying with Third-Graders. Third graders see themselves as individuals. They are becoming verbally proficient, although abstract concepts are generally beyond them. They are industrious and enjoy active participation. These qualities have implications for prayer. Third graders pray naturally and wholeheartedly; you may have to remind them to be reverent. Be My Disciples provides a variety of prayer experiences: spontaneous prayer, communal prayer, meditative prayer, and personal prayer. The prayers include using words of Spanish, Vietnamese, Latin, and Greek. Ritual elements such as processions, gestures, and symbolic actions, are key ingredients for prayer. Explain the meaning of the ritual action. Always allow for latitude in interpretation for students who have physical challenges.

We Pray→ Gather the students in the prayer

center with their books.

→ Ask the students to quiet themselves and remember that God is present with them. Begin with the Sign of the Cross.

→ Remind the students that when we say glory in prayer we express our faith in the wonder and beauty of God.

→ Pray the Glory to God. Remind the students that this is a prayer they can learn by heart. Invite Spanish–speaking students to pray in their own language.

→ Tell the children that heavenly angels sang Glory to God when Jesus was born. Play or sing the Christmas carol, Angels We Have Heard on High. Encourage the students to join on the Gloria in exclesis Deo, that is, Glory to God in the highest.

→ Encourage the students to pray the Glory Be prayer daily.

CONCLUDEDAY 5

Visit BeMyDisciples.com

→ Take time with the students to explore the many activities and resources available at Be My Disciples Web site.

→ Encourage them to join with their families to discover the many resources available at the Web site.

Sharing God’s WordRead together in the Bible Acts of the Apostles 2:42–47 about the first members of the Church. Or read the adaptation of the story on page 18. Emphasize that the first Christians cared about one another and prayed together.

We Live as Disciples The Christian home and family is a school of discipleship. Choose one of the following activities to do as a family or create a similar activity of your own.

→ Create a badge or button that reads, “I am a disciple of Jesus.” Each time a family member acts in a special way as disciple of Jesus, give him or her the badge to wear for a day.

This Week . . .In Chapter 1, “God Speaks to Us,” your child learned:

→ God has revealed, or made himself known, to us.

→ God is a mystery. We could not know who God is unless he revealed himself to us.

→ Jesus revealed that there is One God in Three Divine Persons—God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We call this mystery of God the Holy Trinity. This is the central belief of Christians.

→ God gives us the gift of love. This gift gives us the power to love God above everyone and everything else and to love other people because of our love for God.

For more about related teachings of the Church, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 232–260, and the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, pages 49–63.

→ Talk about how your family helps one another know God and his love for you. Ask each family member to choose one thing to do this week to show God’s love to one another.

Our Spiritual JourneyThe Church gives us creeds to profess our faith. Knowing the Apostles’ Creed by heart can provide guidance for our journey on Earth. Learn the Apostles’ Creed by heart as a family. Pray together the Apostles’ Creed, which can found on page 368. Or say this short prayer with your family each day this week: “Holy Spirit, help us to live each day as disciples of Jesus. Amen.”

With My Family

For more ideas on ways your family can live as disciples of Jesus, visit

BeMyDisciples.com22

Before Moving On …

Student page 2260

Bringing Supplies from Home. Next week’s lesson includes a suggested activity of having the students make a “God’s Loving Care” box for special prayers. Send a note home or e-mail parents asking that their child bring a box to class (a shoebox, a tissue box, a cereal box, or any small box will do). Plan to have a few extra boxes and basic art supplies on hand for next week’s project.

TEACHING TIP

As you finish today’s lesson, reflect on the following question before moving on to the next chapter.

Which child could use more praise from me?

Preview→ Have the students carefully tear

out pages 21 and 22 along the perforation.

→ Encourage the students to share these pages with their families, and to complete the activities together.

→ If they did not complete the review activity on page 20 by the end of the session, emphasize that they can complete it with their families at home.

→ Point out the title and theme of the next lesson to the students.

61

Enriching the Lesson

Making Faith Pennants

Making a Cartoon Strip

Purpose Directions Materials

To reinforce that God gives us the gift of faith (taught on page 14)

→ Brainstorm with the students slogans that say something important about their faith in God, such as “God is speaking. Are you listening?” or “Faith is God’s gift: Open it!”

→ Provide the students with pennant shapes made ahead of time.

→ Encourage the students to make their pennants attractive and colorful by adding decorations and pictures.

→ Arrange with the school or parish staff for an area in the school or parish buildings where the students’ pennants can be displayed and enjoyed by the entire school and parish community.

pennant shapes from art paper

crayons or markers

Purpose Directions Materials

To reinforce the connection between listening to God and living as a disciple, like Saint Francis did (see pages 12–13)

→ Students of this age enjoy a good cartoon strip in a magazine or newspaper.

→ Challenge the class to create cartoon strips that teach a lesson about how to listen to God. Discuss with the students how a cartoon strip is set up. A cartoon usually includes at least two characters, and the characters’ dialogue is drawn in speech balloons.

→ Have the students work with partners to create their cartoons using four frames for the cartoon. The first will introduce the characters, the second will introduce the main idea, the third will teach a lesson about listening, and the fourth frame will show how listening to God leads to living as a disciple of Jesus.

→ When the students have completed their “listening” cartoon strips, display them in an area where others can enjoy the lessons to be learned about listening to God.

tag board

markers, pens or pencils

Literature ConnectionPurpose Directions Materials

To extend this chapter’s teaching by pointing out that family members can help us to know God better

Children form their first ideas of God through their relationships with their parents or other caregivers. The story Our Tree Named Steve by Alan Zweibel (Penguin, 2005) is a heartwarming tale of fatherhood and family love.

→ Read the story to the students, and show them the illustrations.

→ Invite volunteers to tell what the students in the book may have learned about God from their parents’ actions in the story.

→ Remind the students that the Bible tells us how God’s people found him in the experiences of their daily lives.

Our Tree Named Steve, by Alan Zweibel

62

For Reflection

CHAPTER 2

How have I experienced the interdependence of humankind with all creation?

How can I fulfill my responsibility to care for creation and give glory and honor to God?

Creation and Divine ProvidenceHuman beings are the summit of God’s creation. God has created us in his image and likeness. He has gifted us with the gift and ability to come to know, love, and serve him. He invites us to live in communion and covenant with him now and forever. He has also made us partners in caring for his creation.

God’s did not abandon his creation. He is not a distant God; he is an ever-present God who continues to govern and care for the world.

The wisdom of Divine Providence, God’s care for creation, asserts the interdependence of all creatures. Every creature is dependent upon the rest of the created universe for wholeness and perfection. The flower depends upon clean air, water, sunlight, and soil for nourishment and growth. We in turn depend upon plants for food and beauty.

Believers and unbelievers agree almost unanimously that all things on earth should be ordained to humanity as to their center and summit (Vatican II Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World [Gaudium et Spes], 12).

The order and interdependence of the created world is a reflection of God’s infinite beauty and profound love. We are inspired by this remarkable goodness, beauty, and unity of creation to respect the divine plan.

The Privilege of StewardshipTogether, humanity and the created universe are on a journey guided by Divine Providence. We are to be wise stewards of the earth, sky, waters, animals, and plants that make up the beauty of the universe. The manner in which we care for creation is to image the way God the almighty Creator cares for his creation. We are to glorify him by the way we live out that responsibility.

Our care for the Earth is a way of responding to God’s providential care. His plan for creation is that we live in partnership with one another. Responsible stewardship in turn flows from our profound gratitude to the Creator. We give honor and glory to God through the unselfish and responsible use of his wonderful gift.

BACKGROUND

God the Father Almighty“The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). God is the ultimate source and destiny of all creation. He created all things and rules over all things. God is goodness, beauty and order, and his creation is a finite reflection of the divine goodness, beauty, and order.

God the Creator

Grade 3

63

Teacher PrayerHoly Spirit, you who hovered over the waters at the moment of creation, kindle in me the fire of your love. Amen.

The Church Teaches…“Human experiences provide the sensible signs that lead the person, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, to a better understanding of the truths of the faith” (National Directory for Catechesis, 29A).

It is so important to help children begin to reflect on their experience. Every chapter begins by helping the children to situate the lesson concepts in their own life experiences. As they learn to reflect on their life experiences, they can begin to see the hand of the Almighty Creator at work. Through continued catechesis, children can grow to recognize the presence of God in their daily lives.

Further Reading and ReflectionFor more related teachings of the Catholic Church on the mysteries of God the Creator, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 279–314, 325–349, and 355–379; and the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, pages 53–63.

Teacher to TeacherBegin and End with PrayerOne of the most important ways you will share faith with the children this year is through prayer. Every chapter of Be My Disciples begins with a prayerful experience of Scripture. Every lesson concludes with an experience of communal prayer. In the course of your time together you will lead the children in praying the formal prayers of the Church, the words of Scripture, spontaneous prayers, meditations, and a variety of other prayer forms. These are key points of the children’s faith formation and should never be skipped.

The Prayer SpaceOne way to make your prayer time more meaningful is to create a special prayer space. This can be as simple as a small table or windowsill on which you place a cloth the color of the liturgical season, a Bible, a candle, and at times, other appropriate items. For example, since this session is about God’s gifts of creation, you might ask the children to bring examples of creation, such as flowers, rocks, or interesting pieces of wood, to place in the prayer area. The prayer space will serve as a visual reminder of God’s presence throughout the year.

To explore ways to use parts of God’s creation responsibly

Pages 19–21

→ Proclaim and discuss Psalm 19:2 (The sky declares the glory of God).

→ Learn and discuss the story the Sisters of the Good Shepherd.

Disciple Power: Generosity

Activity: Decorate candles with gifts of God’s creation.

Bible

Pencils

Crayons or markers

To discover God’s self-revelation through his creation

Pages 22–23

→ Review the story of creation.

Faith Vocabulary: creation

Scripture story: Creation (Genesis 1:1–27, 31)

Catholics Believe: Prayers of Blessing

Activity: Write a sentence about the wonders of God’s creation.

Crayons or markers

Index cards

Enriching the Lesson: Teacher Guide, page 77 Pantomiming the

Creation Story Collecting Photos

of Creation

To discover God as the loving Creator who cares for all his creation

Pages 24–25

→ Learn that each person is created in God’s image.

→ Learn the meaning of Divine Providence.

Scripture: Your Father knows everything you need (Matthew 6:25–26, 30–32).

Faith-Filled People: Saint Andrew the Apostle

Faith Vocabulary: Divine Providence

Activity: Decorate a God’s Loving Care box.

Pencils

Crayons or markers

Index cards

Enriching the Lesson: Teacher Guide, page 77Literature Connection:Miss Rumphius

To decide how to be generous with our gifts and talents

Pages 26–27

→ Discover how God wants us to care for creation.

Scripture: God calls us to care for his world (Genesis 1:26–30).

Activity: Choose ways to care for God’s gifts.

My Faith Choice: Choose a way to show generosity.

Additional Activities Booklet: Activities 2a and 2b or see BeMyDisciples.com

To pray a psalm

Pages 28–30

→ REVIEW Review concepts: Recall, Reflect, and Share.

→ PRAY God, You are Great!

→ Grade 3 Music CD

Bible, cross, candle for prayer space, pencils

Assessment Tools Booklet: Assessments 2a and 2b

Preview the With My Family page and the theme of the next chapter.

Focus

Focus

Focus

Focus

Focus

LESSON PART PROCESS MATERIALS and RESOURCES

DAY 1 EXPLORE

DAY 2 DISCOVER

DAY 3 DISCOVER

DAY 4 DECIDE

DAY 5 CONCLUDE

Grade 364

Lesson PlannerTo learn why God created the world and peopleGoal

Chapter 2 God the Creator

BeMyDisciples.com

Assign online Chapter Review at

EXPLOREDAY 1

�What�do�you�think�of�when�you�look�at�a�bequtiful�sunset?

Close�your�eyes�and�imagine�you�are�looking�at�the�night�sky�filled�with�stars.�Listen�to�these�words�from�Bible:�

Everything in the sky declares the glory of God; the sun, moon, and stars proudly tell us about the One who made them.

Based on Psalm 19:2

�What�is�the�writer�of�these�words�telling�you?

God the Creator

CHAPTER

2EXPLORE the gifts of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd.

DISCOVER what it means that God is the Creator.

DECIDE how you can help care for God’s creation.

Looking AheadIn this chapter, the Holy Spirit will help you to →

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Pray→ Ask the students to quiet

themselves and remember that God is present with them. Begin with the Sign of the Cross and a short blessing prayer:

Dear God, please bless us today as we explore the goodness of your creation. Amen.

Reflect→ Ask the students what they like to

make. Pictures? Cookies? A Legos fort? Then ask them to think about who makes a sunset.

→ Ask the students to close their eyes and imagine they are looking at a night sky filled with stars as they listen to God’s Word. Read the Psalm to them.

→ Ask the students to share what they thought the writer of the Psalm was saying to them. What would everything in the sky say about God if they talk? Conclude with the Sign of the Cross.

Focus→ Tell the class that God has created

all of us and everything around us from the beginning of time.

→ Point out the Looking Ahead feature to the students. Share with them that they will be learning about some sisters who show their love for God by honoring God’s creation. They will also discover what they can learn about God through his creation and decide how they can help care for creation.

TEACHING TIP

Children’s Spirituality. As you may already be finding out, spending time growing closer to God with third graders can be fun as well as challenging. They enjoy life, learning, and being with their friends. Remember that you are nurturing the children’s spirituality as you reflect on the beauty of God’s creation. This helps them deepen their relationship with God.

EXPLOREDAY 1

Generosity

Generosity helps you choose to share with others. Followers of Jesus offer their time and talents freely for the good of others.

Disciple Power

The Church Follows

Jesus

Let Your Light Shine!The�Sisters�of�the�Good�Shepherd�live�all�

over�the�world.�Their�founder,�Saint�Mary�Euphrasia�Pelletier,�always�said,�“Let�your�light�shine!”�The�Sisters�use�their�gifts�to�make�things�that�teach�about�God’s�love.��This�is�how�they�let�their�light�shine.�

The�Sisters�of�the�Good�Shepherd�use�the�gifts�of�creation�to�honor�God.�They�make�altar�bread�from�wheat�for�us�to�use�at�Mass.�They�weave�cloth�from�plants�to�make�some�of�the�vestments,�or�clothes,�that�the�priests�wear�at�Mass.�

The�Church�also�uses�oil�and�candles�in�many�celebrations.�Oil�is�made�from�olives.�Candles�are�often�made�from�beeswax.�

The�next�time�you�see�things�in�church�made�from�creation,�think�

about�God�who�gave�us�those�gifts.�Think�about�the�people�who�

were�generous�with�their�gifts.�They�help�us�to�come�closer�to�God�when�we�celebrate�the�Sacraments.

�How�do�the�Sisters�of�the�Good�Shepherd�use�the�gifts�of�creation�to��honor�God?�

24

DISCIPLE POWER

Student page 2466

Generosity. Give the students five minutes to write down the names of all the toys, games, and sports equipment they own. As they do so, keep the classroom atmosphere fun by playing a recording of some upbeat music. After five minutes, have the students circle the things on their list they frequently play with or use. Have them underline the things they seldom play with or use and cross out the things they no longer play with or use. Make a class list of all of the toys, games, and sports equipment they no longer use. Discuss who else could use and enjoy these items. Work with the class to coordinate a plan to donate these items to others in need.

Introduce→ Introduce the Sisters of the Good

Shepherd by reading Let Your Light Shine! aloud. Ask the students to listen to discover how the sisters serve God.

→ Discuss the sisters work and point out that God gives all of us special gifts to share.

→ Read Disciple Power aloud. Talk about the fruit of the Holy Spirit, generosity. Ask the students to name examples of generosity.

Reinforce→ Ask the students to recall a

Sunday Mass.

→ Ask what parts of creation they saw used at Mass. (Possible answers: water, fire, bread, oil, and people.)

→ Explain to the students that these are all parts of creation that help to remind us of God.

ConnectAsk the students how the Sisters of the Good Shepherd are an example of generosity as they share the fruits of God’s creation with others.

EXPLOREDAY 1

The Gifts of CreationWhen�you�use�God’s�gifts,�you�let�your�light�

shine.�You�honor�God�by�using�the�gifts�God�gave�you.�You�honor�God�by�using�the�gifts�of�creation�to�do�good.�Look�at�this�prayer�from�the�Mass.

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the bread we offer you: fruit of the earth and work of human hands, it will become for us the bread of life.

Prayers at the PreParation of the Gifts, roman missal,

�What�does�it�mean�when�we�pray,�“fruit�of�the�earth�and�work�of�human�hands?”

Activity Draw gifts of God’s creation to decorate this candle. Add a flame on the candle to show that you will let your light shine.

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67Student page 25

Introduce→ Read the first paragraph of The

Gifts of Creation. Elicit examples for each statement.

→ Invite a volunteer to read the second paragraph.

→ Discuss the questions. (Fruit of the Earth is wheat that grows in the fields. It needs God’s sunshine and rain to grow. Work of human hands is the process of grinding the wheat to make flour, and using the flour to make bread. Humans using God’s gifts give us the bread. We offer it back to God in thanksgiving.)

ReinforceAsk the students to think of five things they can do to honor God with their special gifts. Have them to share their answers with a partner.

ConnectGive directions for the activity. Invite the students to illustrate the candle, but not the flame yet. Have them come to the prayer area with their books and markers.

Pray→ Offer a prayer of blessing:

Lord God, you are the source of all our blessings. Help us to honor you when we use the gifts of creation. Help us to let our light shine.

→ Invite the students to draw and color a flame on their candles.

Music. Play the song “The Little Drummer Boy.” Talk about the story it tells. What concern did the drummer boy express to Mary? (I have no gift to bring that’s fit to give a king.) What gift did he finally give to Jesus? (He played a song for him.) Was it appreciated? How do you know it was? (Jesus smiled at the boy and his drum.)

CROSS-CURRICULAR CONNECTION

DISCOVERDAY 2

God’s CreationGod�alone�is�the�Creator.�He�created�

everything�and�everyone�out�of�love�and�without�any�help.�

The�Book�of�Genesis�is�the�first�book�in�the�Old�Testament.�It�tells�the�story�of�creation.�

God made the earth and sky and sea. God filled the earth with plants. God made the sun and the moon and the stars. God made birds for the sky and fish for the water. God made animals for the land. Then God created people. God saw that everything he created was very good.

Based on Genesis 1:1–27, 31

God�gave�us�the�gift�of�our�five�senses.�We�can�use�our�five�senses�to�come�to�know�that�God�is�wonderful�and�good.�All�of�God’s�creation�helps�us�to�know�his�love�for�us.

�How�can�our�five�senses�help�us�to�know�and�love�God?�

Faith FocusWhat does creation tell us about God?

Faith Vocabularycreation Creation is all that God has made out of love and without any help.

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Student page 2668

PrayTell the students that you are going to offer a prayer of blessing, and they will respond with Amen.

Loving Father, saving Son, creating Spirit, all praise, honor, and glory to you, forever and ever. Amen!

Teach→ Point out the Faith Focus question.

Ask the students if they can answer this question.

→ Have the students read the Faith Vocabulary word. Ask them to find the word as they read God’s creation.

→ Proclaim the story of creation based on Genesis 1:3–27, 31.

→ Ask a volunteer to read the last paragraph aloud.

→ Ask the students to underline what God’s creation helps us to know. (God’s love for us)

→ Ask how we can respond to God’s creation. (We can thank God.)

ReinforcePoint out the Faith Vocabulary word creation and invite the students to make word cards.

ConnectLet the students choose partners to discuss the reflection questions.

Key ConceptGod is the Creator and his creation helps us to know God’s love.

Amen. Sing a joyful Amen for the opening prayer. Choose one the students know well and enjoy singing. Remind the students that the sound of their Amen should reflect its meaning: Yes, I agree! I believe this! The Amen from “The Lilies of the Field” would be a good choice. The rhythm lends itself to clapping. Suggest that the students clap their hands above their heads to combine this gesture of praise.

LITURGY CONNECTION

DISCOVER

DISCOVERDAY 2

Knowing More about GodAll�creation�helps�us�know�that�God�is�

wonderful�and�good.�These�are�some�ways�that�might�help�us�learn�more�about�God.�

•� �Five�blue�eggs�in�a�robin’s�nest�helps�us�to�know�that�God�gives�life.

•� �A�tree�full�of�ripe�red�apples�helps�us�to�know�that�God�is�generous.

•� �Seeing�birds�flying�south�for�the�winter�helps�us�to�know�that�God�is�wise.

•� �Rain�on�a�hot�summer�afternoon�helps��us�to�know�that�God�gives�us�what��we�need.

•� �A�tiny�purple�violet�helps�us�to�know�that�God�is�gentle.

•� �A�mother�listening�to�her�child�helps�us�to�know�that�God�is�patient.

�What�does�creation�tell�you�about�God?

Look at the pictures on these pages. What do they tell you about God? Now close your eyes. magine you are outdoors. What do you see, hear, or touch that God has made? Write one sentence about what you notice.

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

Prayers of Blessing

The Church prays prayers of blessing. Prayers of blessing honor God.as the source of all our blessings.

Catholics Believe

Activity

27

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TeachRead the title Knowing More about God. Ask the students to listen carefully for ways that we can learn more about God. Read the examples on the page slowly. Ask them to imagine the pictures the words describe.

ReinforceLook at the photos with the students. Ask them to answer the focus question: What does creation tell us about God?

Connect→ If possible, take the class outdoors.

What do they see that God has made? What do they hear that God has made? Ask the children to reach out their hands. What can they touch that God has made?

→ When you return to the classroom, ask the students to write one sentence in their books about God and his creation. If you cannot go out, ask the children to close their eyes and imagine they are outdoors.

PrayAfter you gather for prayer, ask the students to think of their favorite part of God’s creation. Stand in a circle. Explain that you will go around the circle, with each student saying his or her favorite part of creation. For example, For starry skies. Each time, everyone will respond “We thank you, God!”

HUMAN METHODOLOGIESMaking a Commitment to Live a Christian Life. The National Directory for Catechesis encourages teaching truths of the faith by having students take an active part in their learning (NDC, 29G). Reinforce learning about the wonders of creation by inviting volunteers to close their eyes, reach into a box or bag, and pick an object from nature. (Prepare a box or bag containing objects such as seashells, flowers, vegetables, fruits, feathers, leaves, and so on.) Have children guess the name of their object. Invite the students to discuss what care is needed for each of these objects of creation. Explain that Jesus’ disciples care for all of God’s creation. Place the objects on the prayer table.

DISCOVERDAY 3

People Are Images of GodGod�created�every�person�in�his�own�image.�

He�created�people�with�a�body�and�a�soul.�The�soul�is�that�part�of�us�that�lives�forever.�It�gives�us�the�power�to�know,�love,�and�serve�God.

God�created�each�person�to�be�the�same�and�different.�There�are�differences�in�our�looks�and�talents.�Yet�we�are�the�same�in�one�very�important�way.�Each�of�us�is�created�in�the�image�of�God.�Every�person�is�a�child�of�God.�

Because�we�are�created�in�God’s�image�we�can�make�loving�choices.�We�can�care�for�other�people.�We�can�choose�to�love�God�in�return.�

We�also�have�differences.�No�one�is�exactly�the�same�as�another�person.�All�of�our�differences�make�us�special.�Being�special�is�a�gift�from�God.�We�can�share�our�special�gifts�with�others.�God�knows�and�loves�each�of�us.

�What�are�two�ways�you�and�your�friends�can�use�your�special�gifts�to�care�for�God’s�creation�together?�

Faith FocusHow does God care for us?

Faith VocabularyDivine Providence Divine Providence is God’s caring love for all his creation.

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Student page 2870

PrayInvite the students to bow their heads as you pray:

God our father, help us to show your love to others. Help us to make choices that honor you. Amen.

Teach→ Ask the students to list similarities

and differences they see in the children in the class. (color of hair and eyes, height, skin color)

→ Ask a volunteer to read the first paragraph aloud. Talk about how God created everyone in his own image. Tell them that their souls are the part of them that lives forever.

→ Read the next paragraph aloud. Talk about the important ways we can be like God. Emphasize that God created us to be like him in these ways.

→ Ask the students to read the last paragraphs silently. Ask them to tell you what they thought was the most important sentence they read.

→ Tell the students about Saint Andrew the Apostle in Faith-Filled People, the patron Saint of fishermen.

ReinforceAsk the students to help you list on the board every thing they learned on this page about themselves. (image of God; unique child of God; body and soul that will live forever)

ConnectHave each student work with a partner to respond to the question, and then join another pair and share.

Key ConceptWe are special because we are made in God’s image.

FAITH-FILLED PEOPLE

Saint Andrew the Apostle. Little is known about Saint Andrew other than the fact that he was the brother of Simon Peter and one of the chosen Twelve Apostles. As one of the Twelve, he was with Jesus during his public life, was present at the Last Supper, saw the Risen Lord, and witnessed his Ascension. Like the other Apostles, he preached the Gospel message at the risk of his own life. It is generally agreed that he was crucified by order of the Roman governor and that he was bound, not nailed, to the cross in order to prolong his suffering. The cross on which he suffered is commonly known as Saint Andrew’s cross. His martyrdom took place during the reign of Nero on November 30, a.d. 60.

DISCOVER

DISCOVERDAY 3

Activity

God Cares for His CreationGod�the�Creator�is�always�with�us.�He�

takes�care�of�his�creation.�We�call�God’s�caring�love�for�his�creation�Divine Providence.�

Jesus�told�us�that�God�cares�for�us.��He�said:

“Look at the birds in the sky. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Look at the fields with beautiful wild flowers. Your Father in heaven knows everything you need.” Based on matthew 6:25-26, 30–32

God�cares�for�the�smallest�parts�and�the�greatest�parts�of�creation.�He�cares�about�everything�that�happens�in�the�world.�We�never�have�to�handle�our�problems�alone.��God�is�always�with�us.

��What�are�some�ways�God�cares��for�us?

Andrew the Apostle

Saint Andrew the Apostle was one of the first disciples of Jesus. Saint Andrew and his brother Saint Peter worked as fishermen. Jesus invited them to follow him and become fishers of men.

Faith-Filled People

Decorate the “God’s Loving Care” box with signs of God’s creation. Write three things that you would like to entrust to God’s loving care.

1

2

3

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Teach→ Before reading, ask the students to

listen for the meaning of the term Divine Providence.

→ Ask three volunteers to come forward to read aloud. Ask one to read the introduction to the Scripture and two to divide the Scripture verses based on Matthew 6:25–26, 30–32.

→ Ask the students what difference it makes to know of God’s loving care. (allows trust; less fear and worry, we feel safe)

→ Invite the students to silently read the last paragraph.

ReinforceHave the children make word cards for Divine Providence from the definition on page 28.

Connect→ Tell the students that they are

going to decorate the God’s Loving Care box.

→ Invite them to decorate the box on the page with signs of God’s loving care.

→ Ask the students to write down three things they want to give over to God’s care.

→ Invite volunteers to name one thing they wrote in their boxes.

PrayCall the students to prayer with their books. Stand in a circle. Invite them to take turns reading one of the things they would like to entrust to God’s loving care. When they have finished, say:

Lord, hear our prayer.

THE TASKS OF CATECHESISLiturgical Formation. The Church has two ritual books devoted to prayers of blessing. The Book of Blessings (International Commission on English in the Liturgy, Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1989) contains blessings used at Mass or in celebrations of the Word of God. It includes the blessing of the Advent wreath, the blessing of the crèche, and other ritual blessings. The Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers (USCCB, 2007: Washington, D.C.) is for the home. It contains traditional Catholic prayers, prayers for the liturgical seasons of the Church year, devotional prayers, and prayers for important moments and times of transition in a child’s/family’s life. If your parish has a copy of either book, you may wish to incorporate some of the blessings into your classroom prayer.

Key ConceptGod cares for his creation through his Divine Providence.

DISCOVERDAY 4

We Care for God’s CreationGod�gives�all�people�an�important�

responsibility.�He�calls�us�to�care�for�his�world.�In�the�Bible�God�tells�us:

God created people in his image. He made them man and woman. God blessed them. God gave them the world to care for.

Based on Genesis 1:26–30

We�care�for�creation�when�we�share�God’s�gifts�with�all�people.�We�use�the�gifts�of�creation�wisely.�We�know�that�God�gave�the�world�to�all�of�us.

We Use God’s CreationWe�can�use�God’s�creation�to�help�others.�

We�can�discover�new�plants�to�make�medicine�and�find�cures�for�disease.�We�can�create�beautiful�works�of�art.�

What�are�two�ways�you�can�use�your�special�gifts�to�care�for�God’s�creation?�

Faith FocusHow do we care for God’s creation?

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Student page 3072

PrayDirect the students to bow their heads in prayer. Ask them to quietly think of one thing they want to thank God for. After a moment, say:

Lord, hear our prayer.

Teach→ Tell the class that we all have a

responsibility to care for God’s world. Ask a volunteer to read the Scripture passage based on Genesis 1:26–30.

→ Ask for ideas on how we care for God’s world. Invite the students to come to the board and write their answers there.

→ Ask two volunteers to read the rest of the section. Have the students compare their list on the board with the text.

→ Read We Care for God’s Creation aloud for the class. Ask the students to choose the sentence that is most exciting to them.

Reinforce→ Invite several students to tell in

their own words some ways they can use creation for the good of others.

→ Ask others to tell how the people in the photos are using their gifts.

ConnectPoint out the reflection question. Ask the students to think it over, and then to share one way with a partner.

Key ConceptWe care for God’s creation.

Art Activity. Let the children design T-shirts that promote care for creation. Cut a T-shirt shape out of white construction paper or chart paper. Or you may opt to use plain white cotton shirts. Students may decorate or write their environmental message on both the front and the back of their “shirts.” Hang a clothesline in a corner of the classroom or in the hall where others can get the message. Have the students use clothespins to hang the T-shirts on the clothesline.

TEACHING TIP

DECIDEDAY 4

My Faith Choice

Activity

God’s gift How I can care for it

I FollowJesusGod�created�you�and�all�people�out�of�

love.�He�created�the�whole�world�out�of�love.�He�is�always�with�you.�He�helps�you�to�care�for�creation.�He�helps�you�to�live�with�generosity�as�a�disciple�of�Jesus.

Caring for God’s CreationIn the left column, draw one of God’s gifts of creation. In the right column, write what you can do to care for it.

Pray, “Come, Holy Spirit, teach me and help me take care of the wonderful gift of creation. Amen.”

I will be generous with my gifts and talents. I will care for God’s creation. I will

.

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ReinforceAs you read the opening paragraph, ask the students to listen for what the Holy Spirit does to help us.

RespondInvite the students complete the Caring for God’s Creation activity.

Choose→ Ask the students to think about

how they can honor and bless God by caring for God’s creation. Then ask them to write what they will do under My Faith Choice.

→ Invite the students to silently pray the prayer to the Holy Spirit asking for help in caring for God’s wonderful creation.

→ Encourage the students to keep their commitments to care for God’s creation.

TEACHING TIPCaring for Creation. The General Directory for Catechesis points out that teachers today need to relate to the particular environment in which people live, whether it be rural or urban (GDC 192). Encourage the students to think of ways to improve the immediate environment that surrounds them. You might have them brainstorm in terms of the three elements of air, earth, and water. Students might think also of neighborhood beautification or safety projects that help their environment be a better reflection of the world that God intends.

CONCLUDEDAY 5

Chapter Review

RecallUse the words below to complete the faith sentences.

Blessing soul Providence Creator Generosity

1. The Bible tells us that God is the ________________.

2. Divine ________________ is God’s caring love for all his creation.

3. God created people with a body and a ________.

4. _____________________________ prayers express our faith in God’s loving care for us.

5. _____________________________ helps you use your talents to help others.

TO HELP YOU REMEMBER

1. God created everyone and everything out of love and without any help.

2. God created every person in his image and likeness.

3. God always cares for us and for all of his creation.

ReflectThink of five things you do that gives honor to God or his creation. Write one thing on each finger of the hand.

Share with a classmate what you believe is the most amazing part of God’s creation and why.

Share

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Providence

soul

Blessing

Generosity

Creator

Student page 3274

Using Our Gifts. Remind the class that God expects them to use the gifts he has given them to help others. Ask the students to form small groups to work on a project that will “let their light shine.” Maybe they can help younger students read or do homework. Maybe they can help the principal by making an encouraging poster for her office. Maybe they can help the custodian by cleaning up the trash in the schoolyard. Have them write their gift on a card which each person in the group signs. Put the cards in envelopes. If time permits, let the children draw symbols of light on the envelope. Let them deliver their gift to the person or persons they want to help.

TEACHING TIP

PrayInvite the students to join you in praying the Sign of the Cross to begin class.

Recall→ Write each To Help You Remember

statement on the board and leave out one of the key words in each sentence. The key words are created, image, and cares. Invite volunteers to fill in the missing words.

→ Direct the students to complete the sentences using the words provided. Call on volunteers to give their answers.

Reflect→ Invite the students to look at their

hands and remember that God made their whole body. How do they use their hands and bodies to honor God?

→ Invite the students to write five things they do that give honor to God or his creation.

ShareGive the students time to think of the most beautiful or amazing part of God’s creation. Invite them to share their ideas with a small group.

DISCOVER

CONCLUDEDAY 5

God, You Are Great!The psalms are prayer songs in the Bible. The Church prays the psalms every day. You can pray this psalm in English or in Vietnamese.

Close your eyes and think of all the beautiful things in creation. (Pause.) Now let us bless God together for the gift of creation.

Đúc Chúa Tròi ban phú Our God, you are great!

You created all the creatures on the land, in the oceans, and in the sky.

Đúc Chúa Tròi ban phuóc Our God, you are great!

The Earth is full of your creatures.

Đúc Chúa Tròi ban phuóc Our God, you are great!

Based on Psalm 104:1, 24, 25

Leader

All

Group 1

All

Group 2

All

33

75Student page 33

LITURGY CONNECTIONPraying the Psalms. In addition to daily praying the Psalms in the Liturgy of the Hours, certain Psalms are assigned to the liturgical seasons of the Church year. These include the liturgical seasons of Advent (Psalms 25 and 85), Christmas (Psalm 98), Lent (Psalms 51, 91,

and 130), Easter (Psalms 118 and 66) and Ordinary Time (Psalms 19, 27,

34, 63, 95, 100, 103, 145, and 122). (see Lectionary for Mass 174.) As you pray with the students this year, make an effort to incorporate portions of the Psalms assigned to the liturgical seasons. Consider having the students learn a portion of one of the Psalms assigned to each season and incorporate them into your weekly prayer.

We Pray→ Remind the students that

the Psalms are songs of praise to God. Tell them they are going to ring bells or raise and wave their hands during this prayer. This will be a way to praise God with their bodies.

→ Point out that the Church prays verses from the Psalms every day. People all over the world pray the Psalms.

→ Teach the students how to say “O God you are great” in Vietnamese. Đúc Chúa Tròi ban phú (dook chooah troy bahn foo).

→ Demonstrate how the students will ring the bells or raise and wave their hands each time they say, Our God, you are great in English or Vietnamese.

→ Let the class practice this once or twice.

→ Divide the class into two groups to pray Psalm 104.

→ Pray the Psalm together.

CONCLUDEDAY 5

Visit BeMyDisciples.com

→ Take time with the students to explore the many activities and resources available at Be My Disciples Web site.

→ Encourage them to join with their families to discover the many resources available at the Web site.

This Week . . .In Chapter 2, “God the Creator,” your child learned:

→ God alone is the Creator. He created everyone and everything out of love and without any help. All that God creates is good.

→ God creates every person in his image. God creates every person with a body and a soul.

→ God creates everyone to be a unique individual and blesses them with special gifts that they are to use to care for God’s creation.

→ God’s caring love is known as Divine Providence.

→ Generosity is a quality of a disciple of Jesus.

For more about related teachings of the Church, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 279–314, 325–349, and 355–379, and the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, pages 53–63.

Sharing God’s WordRead together the biblical accounts of creation in Genesis, chapters 1 and 2. Or read the adaptation on page 26. Discuss and emphasize that the diversity within creation helps us come to know that God is wonderful and good. Talk about what is unique about each family member.

We Live as Disciples The Christian home and family is a school of discipleship. Choose one of the following activities or design an activity of your own to do together as a family.

→ Enjoy a diversity adventure! Learn about the diversity that make up your parish or community. Explore different nationalities.

→ Take notice of all the times your child is generous. Praise him or her. Don’t forget to acknowledge small acts of generosity.

Our Spiritual JourneyPraying the psalms has always been part of the Church’s tradition. Pray the psalms in the daily prayer of your family. Memorize a psalm verse each week and pray it daily. See page 33 for an example.

With My Family

For more ideas on ways your family can live as disciples of Jesus, visit

BeMyDisciples.com34

Before Moving On …

Student page 3476

A Walking Tour. Next week’s lesson focuses on the Blessed Virgin Mary. One suggested activity is to take the students on a walking tour of the parish church and property in order to identify statues, images, and other depictions of Mary. As you prepare next week’s lessons, decide which day will be best. If a walking tour is not possible, spend some time gathering pictures, holy cards, statues, and other depictions of Mary to share with your class. Try to find images that reflect the cultural diversity of your third graders.

PLANNING AHEAD

As you finish today’s lesson, reflect on the following question before moving on to the next chapter.

Which students work well together?

Preview→ Have the students carefully tear

out pages 33 and 34 along the perforation.

→ Encourage the students to share these pages with their families, and to complete the activities together.

→ If they did not complete the review activity on page 32 by the end of the session, emphasize that they can complete it with their families at home.

→ Point out the title and theme of the next lesson to the students.

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Enriching the Lesson

Literature ConnectionPurpose Directions Materials

To reinforce that God calls us to love and care for his world (taught on page 30)

Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney (Penguin Putnam Books, 1985) tells the story of Miss Alice Rumphius, who resolves to travel the world when she grows up. In her old age, she returns to her home by the sea and decides to do something to make the immediate world around her more beautiful. She finds this to be the most difficult work of her life, but the most rewarding.

→ Read the story aloud to the students.

→ Ask the students what their dreams are for themselves when they grow up.

→ Ask each student to use words, pictures, music, or rhyme to describe one thing they would like to do to create more beauty in one part of God’s world.

Miss Rumphius, by Barbara Cooney

Collecting Photos of Creation PhotosPurpose Directions Materials

To reinforce that all creation reminds us of God (taught on page 27)

→ Have the students work with partners and plan a series of photos they would like to take to illustrate the parts of creation they enjoy the most.

→ Have them write or draw the exact photos they would like to take.

→ Encourage them to look through magazines and to think about photos that their families might have taken on vacations.

→ Invite volunteers to share their favorite parts of creation. Encourage the students to bring in photos that their families have taken of creation and share them with the class.

→ If they have access to cameras, ask them to bring in a picture of their own.

magazines

construction paper

markers or crayons

Pantomiming the Creation StoryPurpose Directions Materials

To reinforce the story of creation (taught on page 21)

→ Beforehand, prepare a box in which you place pieces of paper listing different elements of God’s creation—day, night, land, sea, specific plants and animals, wind, stars, and people.

→ With a sense of drama, read the full story of creation from Genesis 1–2:4. Ask the students to listen for the things that God created.

→ Invite each child to draw a piece of paper from the box. Tell the students to decide how they can demonstrate their element of creation without using words.

→ Re-read the highlights of the story aloud again, and as you name each element, invite the students with that word on their cards to act out their part of God’s creation for the class.

Bible

Box or basket

Paper strips

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CHAPTER 3

Mary’s Free Response of GraceMary freely chose to cooperate in the work of our Salvation that she and the people of Israel had been hoping for. In spite of the perplexing announcement of the angel Gabriel, Mary freely chose to accept God’s invitation, responding, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).

Mary’s unique role in the divine plan of Salvation was not granted her because of her own merits. It was a gift freely bestowed by God whose love drew her close and prepared her to make her graced response in faith to become the Mother of the Incarnate Son of God.

This union of the mother with the Son in the work of salvation is made manifest from the time of Christ’s virginal conception up to his death; first when Mary, arising in haste to go to visit Elizabeth, is greeted by her as blessed because of her belief in the promise of salvation, and the precursor leaped with joy in the womb of his mother; then also at the birth of Our Lord, who did not diminish his mother’s virginal integrity but sanctified it (Vatican II,

Dogmatic Constitution on the Church [Lumen Gentium] 57).

The Power of Faith, Hope, and LoveThe Holy Spirit is responsible for Jesus’ conception in the womb of Mary. Elizabeth, filled with this same Holy Spirit, recognized the transformation in her younger cousin and greeted her with the words,

“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Luke 1:42

Faith, hope and love surround Mary and Elizabeth. This visit to Elizabeth reveals the first account of another woman of faith and hope and love who recognizes the profound role Mary will play in God’s plan of Salvation.

These two women, filled with the Theological Virtues of faith, hope and love, help our own belief and trust in God. When surrounded by overwhelming struggles, we believe and hope and trust in the love of God because nothing is impossible with God. In grasping the power and might of God in our midst and acting on our behalf, we discover that God who is Love does indeed do great things for each of us—and lifts up the lowly. Joining with Mary, we magnify the Lord and proclaim:

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.” Luke 1:46

God’s grace pulls us into the light and life of faith, and we are empowered, or graced, to conform our lives to the will of God. We can take courage from Mary’s faithfulness and seek her aid as we grow in faith and discipleship.

BACKGROUND

Mary, Woman of FaithMary is the Mother of God and the Mother of Jesus. God has given her an esteemed and unique place in the plan of Salvation. Chosen by God the Father to be the Mother of the Incarnate Son of God, Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, Mary is our link to the saving work of God among men. She is the first and model disciple of Jesus. She is the model of faith, hope and love.

Mary Trusted God

What are some tangible ways that I can grow in faith and conform my life more closely to the will of God?

When have I surrendered to the power of God? What were the results?

For Reflection

Grade 3

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Teacher PrayerGod our loving Father, you chose Mary to be the mother of your Son, Jesus Christ. Help me guide the children to know that joined to Christ in Baptism they are your adopted sons and daughters. Amen.

The Church Teaches…“The various forms of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary reflect the many different cultures, religious convictions, and popular sensibilities that make up the Church in the United States. Catholic people of all cultures have a deep love for the Mother of God. They employ many different expressions of that love to show the one faith that characterizes their particular prayer life and spirituality” (National Directory for Catechesis, 38C).

This is why throughout this program both Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture are used to teach the students about Mary.

Further Reading and ReflectionFor more related teachings of the Catholic Church on the mystery of the Incarnation and the unique role of Mary in God’s plan for the Salvation of the world, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 456–478 and 484–507; and the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, pages 141–149.

Teacher to TeacherWitness Your FaithThroughout this year, you’ll have many opportunities to share your faith with the children. Third graders are very perceptive. They will look to you to model what it means to be a person of faith. The children’s concept of God is greatly influenced by what they see you and other adults do. Being consistent in your positive faith-filled attitude toward life and unconditional respect for the students will help them find God in your words and actions.

Mary, a Model of FaithMost third graders know that Mary is the Mother of Jesus. In your time together this year, help them to appreciate Mary’s great faith and trust in God the Father, which enabled her to accept his invitation to be the Mother of his Son. Many eight- and nine-year-olds have a strong sense of a mother’s love. With the right guidance, they can grow in their relationship with Mary as their Mother and someone whom they can count on to always be there for them. Be sensitive to any children who may be separated from their mothers through death or other circumstances. Reassure them that Mary’s love for them has no boundaries or limitations.

To explore the faith and trust of Mary

Pages 35–37

→ Proclaim and discuss Proverbs 3:5–6 (Trust in God with your whole heart).

→ Learn about how the Church honors Mary as patron Saint of the United States.

Disciple Power: Honor

Activity: Label the prayers of the Rosary.

Bible

Pencils

Crayons or markers

Rosaries for the students, or one large rosary

To discover ways Mary responded in faith and trust

Pages 38–39

→ Learn about the Annunciation.

→ Explore Mary’s praise of God in the Magnificat.

Faith Vocabulary: Annunciation

Scripture story: The Annunciation (Luke 1:28, 31, 35, 38)

Faith-Filled People: Saint Elizabeth

Activity: Write about saying yes in your life.

Crayons or markers

Index cards

Enriching the Lesson: Teacher Guide, page 93Role-Playing Scripture Stories about Mary

To discover how Mary is a model of faith and discipleship

Pages 40–41

→ Learn about the Visitation.

→ Learn about the Incarnation.

Catholics Believe: Feast Days of Mary

Scripture story: Mary visits Elizabeth (Luke 1:39–40, 56).

Faith Vocabulary: Incarnation, Nativity

Activity: Imagine yourself within the Nativity story.

Pencils

Crayons or markers

Index cards

Enriching the Lesson: Teacher Guide, page 93Literature Connection:Mary: Mother of Jesus

To decide on a way to honor Mary

Pages 42–43

Activity: Create A Disciple’s Passport.

My Faith Choice: Choose a way to honor Mary.

Enriching the Lesson: Teacher Guide, page 93 Re-writing the Hail Mary

Additional Activities Booklet: Activities 3a and 3b or see BeMyDisciples.com

To learn and pray the Hail Mary in Spanish

Pages 44–46

→ REVIEW Review concepts: Recall, Reflect, and Share.

→ PRAY Salve Maria!

→ Grade 3 Music CD

Bible, cross, candle for prayer space, pencils

Assessment Tools Booklet: Assessments 3a and 3b

Preview the With My Family page and the theme of the next chapter.

Focus

Focus

Focus

Focus

Focus

LESSON PART PROCESS MATERIALS and RESOURCES

DAY 1 EXPLORE

DAY 2 DISCOVER

DAY 3 DISCOVER

DAY 4 DECIDE

DAY 5 CONCLUDE

BeMyDisciples.com

Assign online Chapter Review at

Grade 380

Lesson PlannerTo identify that Mary showed her faith and trust in GodGoal

Chapter 3 Mary Trusted God

EXPLOREDAY 1

Mary Trusted God

Haveyoueverplacedyourtrustinsomeone?

ThewriterofthesewordsbelowhelpedpeopleclearlyseewhatGodwantedthemtodo.Listentowhathehadtosay:

Trust in God with all your heart. He will guide you. He will help you know and see clearly what he wants you to do.

Based on ProverBs 3:5–6

Howwouldrememberingthesewordshelpyouwhenyouareafraid?

CHAPTER

3EXPLORE how Catholics honor Mary.

DISCOVER that Jesus is both God and man, divine and human.

DECIDE how you will honor Mary.

Looking AheadIn this chapter, the Holy Spirit will help you to →

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81Student page 35

Pray→ Remind the students that God

always cares for us. Ask them how they completed their commitment to care for God’s creation this past week.

→ Ask the class to quiet themselves and remember that God is present with them. Begin and end with the Sign of the Cross.

→ Ask the students to repeat after you:

Mother Mary, help us to have faith, hope, and love as you did. Amen.

Reflect→ Ask the opening question and

invite responses.

→ Introduce the Scripture passage and ask a volunteer to read it aloud.

→ Talk about what the words from the Bible meant to them. Then ask them when it would help to remember those words.

Focus→ Point out the Looking Ahead

feature at the top of the page. Share with the students that Mary is our model of faith.

→ Tell the students that they will learn about a church that was built to honor Mary.

Learning by Discipleship. The National Directory for Catechesis points out that conversion is a lifelong process and calls Mary the first disciple and a model for all followers of Christ (NDC 29B). As you discuss Mary’s faith and trust in God this week, conduct a walking tour of the church and parish grounds. Look for statues, pictures, and other images of Mary. Ask the students what these art works tell us about Mary. If there is a main Marian display in church, end the walking tour by gathering the students there. Ask the class what they have learned from this experience about being a disciple of Jesus. Invite them to offer silent prayers asking Mary to help them grow in discipleship. Conclude by praying the Hail Mary.

HUMAN METHODOLOGIES

EXPLOREDAY 1

Honor

When we honor someone, we show respect. When we ask someone to help us, we show respect and honor.

Disciple Power

The Church Follows

Jesus

We Honor MaryMarytrustedinGodwithallherheart.She

listenedandknewwhatGodwantedhertodo.

ThebishopsoftheCatholicChurchintheUnitedStateschosetohonorMaryinaspecialway.TheychoseMarytobethepatronsaintoftheUnitedStates.APatronSaintisaSaintwhosegoodexamplewecanfollow.

AsthepatronSaintoftheUnitedStates,sheiscalledMary,theImmaculateConception.ThebishopsbuiltabasilicanamedtheImmaculateConceptiontohonorMary.Itisoneofthelargestchurchesinthewholeworld.Abasilicaisaspecialtypeofchurch.

WealsohonorMarywhenwepraytoher.WehonorMarywhenweplacestatuesandimagesofherinourhomes.ThesearewaysthathelpustorememberMary’strustandfaithinGod.Mary

helpsusseeandknowmoreclearlyhowtoliveasdisciplesofJesus.

HowdoyouandyourfamilyhonorMary?

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington D.C.

36

DISCIPLE POWER

Student page 3682

Honor. The Church teaches that we are to show every person honor by protecting their good name and reputation, and by showing them respect (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2479). Brainstorm with the students ways that we can ruin a person’s good name and reputation. Include things such as telling lies about another person or calling them hurtful names. Then brainstorm ways to show respect to every individual. Include a variety of examples such as being courteous, extending special care to the elderly and to the poor, and speaking kind and encouraging words to one another.

Introduce→ Read Disciple Power aloud to

the children and talk with them about honor. Tell them that when we honor someone, we show them respect.

→ Choose four volunteers ask each to read aloud one paragraph of The Church Honors Mary.

→ Ask the students to underline the word basilica and its meaning.

Reinforce→ Ask the students to name other

times they know when the Church honors Mary.

→ Have the students read Catholics Believe on page 41 to become familiar with the days the Church honors Mary.

→ Talk about what the Church remembers on Mary’s feast days.

Connect→ Ask the students to share how the

people of their parish honor Mary. (Possible answers include Statues, shrines, May Crowning, public rosary in October and/or May.)

→ Ask them how they honor Mary in their families.

EXPLOREDAY 1

Praying the RosaryOnespecialwaythat

CatholicshonorMaryistopraytheRosary.ItisreallymanyshortprayersthatformtheRosary.Weuserosarybeadstokeepourplaceaswesaytheprayers.TheprayersoftheRosaryaretheHailMary,OurFather,theGloryBe,Apostles’Creed,andHail,HolyQueen.WepraytheSignoftheCrossatthebeginningandattheendoftheRosary.

WhataresomewaysyoucanhonorMary?

Color the beads on this rosary. In each space, print the prayer you would say for that bead or set of beads. Look at page 372 in the back of your book if you need help.

Activity

G3_SSE_Ch03_37 PENCIL

37

83Student page 37

Introduce→ Tell the students that they are

going to learn about a way many Catholics honor Mary.

→ Ask a volunteer to read Catholics Honor Mary. Ask the students how many of them know how to pray the Rosary.

→ Give each student a rosary or display a large rosary. Let volunteers identify the prayer for each bead.

ReinforceAsk the students to place a check mark next to the prayers they know. Repeat that these are the prayers we use in the rosary.

ConnectProvide colored pencils or fine-tipped markers. Encourage the students to be neat as they label and color.

PrayPray the Hail Mary.

CROSS-CURRICULAR CONNECTIONArt. Show the students classic and fine art paintings of the Annunciation. You can find these in art books from the library and online. Have them identify Mary and Archangel Gabriel in each painting. See if they notice that the angel is often holding a lily. Explain that the lily is a symbol for the Blessed Virgin Mary. Remind the children that these are all the artist’s vision of what happened. Often artists painted Mary wearing the style of clothing that was popular when they painted, or pictured the house in Nazareth more like their own house. Ask the students to illustrate the Annunciation. Invite them to picture the scene as you read Luke 1:26–38. Provide drawing paper and a variety of art supplies, particularly the medium children are using in art class.

DISCOVERDAY 2

The Faith of MaryThebestnewsthatwewilleverhearisthat

GodtheFathersenthisSon,Jesus,intoourworld.TheangelGabrielannouncedthisgoodnewstotheBlessedVirginMary.Gabrielsaid,

Hail, Mary. The Lord is with you. The Holy Spirit will come to you. You shall give birth to a son and you shall name him Jesus. Your son will be God’s own Son.

Based on Luke 1:28, 31, 35

TheChurchcallstheannouncementofJesus’birthtoMarytheAnnunciation.MarytrustedthatGod.ShehadgreatfaithinGod’sloveforher.Sheresponded,

“May these things happen as you say.” Based on Luke 1:38

Whenhaveyoushowntrustwhenyouhavebeenaskedtodosomething?

Faith FocusHow did Mary show her faith in God?

Faith VocabularyAnnunciation The Annunciation is the announcement the angel Gabriel made to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The angel told Mary that God had chosen her to be the Mother of Jesus, the Son of God.

38

Student page 3884

PrayBegin with the words the angel said to Mary and have the children repeat:

Hail, Mary, the Lord is with you.

Teach→ Invite the students to share some

recent good news. Point out that sometimes good news changes our lives.

→ Introduce the Annunciation account in your own words. Then read the Scripture.

→ Share with the students the definition of the Annunciation from the Faith Vocabulary box.

→ Tell the students that the Annunciation was a very happy time for Mary.

Reinforce→ Ask the students to retell the

Annunciation story to a partner. Discuss what was most amazing.

→ Emphasize Mary’s faith in God’s love for her. That is why she could say “yes” to God.

→ Ask: How do you say “yes” to God every day?

Connect→ Direct the students to the reflection

question. Give them time to think independently.

→ Ask volunteers to share their responses.

→ Remind them that their spirit of cooperation gives glory to God.

Key ConceptMary trusted in God and had faith in his love for her.

Angels of God. Both Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition recognize the existence of angels. They are both the servants and the messengers of God who protect and guide us in our earthly life. (See the Catechism of the Catholic Church 328 and 336.) The Church celebrates the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels, on September 29, and the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels on October 2. On or near those feasts, teach the children the song “Angels Watching Over Me” (Traditional Spiritual) or the Guardian Angels Prayer.

SACRED TRADITION

DISCOVER

DISCOVERDAY 2

Mary is Our ModelMaryisamodeloffaith.Maryshowsushow

toactwithfaith.ShetrustedGodandsaid“yes”tohim.

Maryisamodelofprayerwhoshowsushowtopray.ShepraisedandthankedGod.

Maryisalsothemodeldisciple.SheshowsushowtotrustinGod’slove.

TheangelGabrieltoldMarythathercousinElizabethwasgoingtohaveababy.ElizabethwasmucholderthanMary.MaryknewthatElizabethwouldneedhelp.MarythoughtabouttheneedsofElizabeth.ReadtofindoutwhatMarydidtohelphercousin.

As soon as the angel left, Mary set out on a journey. She hurried to the town in an area called Judah. There she went to the house of Elizabeth and Zechariah. Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned to her own home.

Based on Luke 1:39–40, 56

WhydidMarygotovisithercousinElizabeth?

Write about a time you said yes to something a parent or teacher asked of you, even if you wanted to say no.

.

Saint Elizabeth

Elizabeth and her husband, Zechariah, were the parents of John the Baptist. Their son, John, grew up to announce that Jesus was the Savior that God promised to send to his people.

Faith-Filled People

Activity

39

85Student page 39

Teach→ Elicit examples of models from

the students’ experiences, such as model cars or airplanes.

→ Explain that a model shows how something will or should be.

→ Read the remainder of Mary is Our Model. Talk about Mary as a model of faith and prayer.

→ Have the students read Faith-Filled People to learn about Elizabeth and Zechariah.

ReinforceAsk what we call Mary’s visit to Elizabeth. (the Visitation) Ask the children why it was a joyful event. (Mary and Elizabeth were happy to be together. They rejoiced that Jesus the Savior would be born.)

Connect→ Have the students share some of

the wonderful things God has done for them. (their families, fun, friends, learning)

→ Tell the students that they will write about a time they said yes even when it was hard to do. Direct them to the activity. Discuss the questions.

→ Invite them to share their work.Elizabeth and Zechariah. The first chapter of Luke tells us that the angel Gabriel announced to Zechariah that Elizabeth would give birth to a son, and they should call him John. Zechariah was troubled because of their age and asked how this could be. The angel told Zechariah that because he didn’t believe, he would be speechless until he believed. When Elizabeth gave birth, her relatives wanted to call the baby Zechariah, after his father, but Elizabeth said he would be named John. The relatives didn’t understand, so they asked Zechariah. Zechariah, still unable to speak, wrote that John was to be his name. At the moment Zechariah wrote those words, his ability to speak returned. For more information on Saint Elizabeth and Saint Zechariah, go to the Saints Resource at BeMyDisciples.com.

FAITH-FILLED PEOPLE

DISCOVERDAY 3

Mary Praises GodMary’svisittoElizabethisknownasthe

Visitation.Thewordvisitationisanotherwordfora“visit.”TheBibletellsusthatElizabethgreetedMarywhenshesawher.Elizabethsaid:

“Blessed are you, Mary!” Mary answered Elizabeth by praising God. Mary said, “My soul praises the great goodness of God! God has done great things for me!”

Based on Luke 1:45–46, 49

MarypraisedGod.Mary’sprayerofpraiseiscalledtheMagnificat.MarybelievedthatallherblessingscamefromGod.

Maryisourmodeloffaith.ShehelpsusseeclearlythatallourblessingscomefromGod,too.SheshowsushowtopraiseGod.

HowcanMarybeamodeloffaithforyou?

Faith FocusHow is Mary a disciple?

Faith VocabularyIncarnation The Incarnation is the Son of God becoming a man and still being God.

Nativity The Nativity is the story of the birth of Jesus.

40

PrayInvite the students to quiet themselves. Pray:

Mary, help us say Yes to God today.

(Ask the students to think of an opportunity they may have today to say Yes to God.)

Mary, help us say Yes to God today.

Teach→ Write these words on the board:

Visitation and Magnificat. Invite the students to listen for these words and their meanings as you read Mary Praises God.

→ Point out that Mary praised God for the wonderful things he did for her.

Reinforce→ Ask the students to find and

underline the sentence that defines the Magnificat. (Mary praises God.)

→ Direct the students to the Faith Focus question. Invite several of the students to answer in their own words. (Mary trusted God’s words to her and she said Yes to God.)

→ Have the students make a word card for Annunciation.

Connect→ Form three small groups. Assign

each group a report topic: Mary is a model of faith for us. Mary is a model of prayer for us. Mary is the model of a disciple for us. Invite a member of each group to read the group’s report to the class.

→ Ask the students to consider the reflection question on their own.

Key ConceptJesus is the Son of God and Son of Mary. Mary is a model of faith for us.

Make Disciple Cards. The students can follow Mary as disciples of Jesus by helping and serving others. Remind the class that Mary was thinking about the needs of Elizabeth. Ask them to think of people at home who might need their help. They will make Disciple Cards to give as a promise to help them. Give each child a large lined index card, pencils, and markers. Print on the board for them to copy: Mary hurried to help Elizabeth. In honor of Mary, I will help you. On the reverse side of the card, have the students write the name of the person they will help and what they will do. Make some suggestions regarding what they might write on the cards. Help the students make feasible promises. You may wish to ask them to report to the class when they have completed the service.

TEACHING TIP

Student page 4086

DISCOVER

DISCOVERDAY 3

Feast Days of Mary

The Catholic Church has many feast days to honor Mary. Three of these days are also holy days of obligation. They are: January 1, Mary, the Holy Mother of God; August 15, the Assumption of Mary to Heaven; December 8, Immaculate Conception. On these days, we have the responsibility to go to Mass.

Catholics Believe

Jesus Is BornGodtheFatherchoseMarytobethe

MotherofhisSon,JesustheSavior.TheHolySpirithelpedMarybelieveinGod.TheHolySpirithelpedMarytrusthisplanforherandforherson.

JesusistheSonofGodandtheSonofMary.TheSonofGodbecomingamanandstillbeingGodiscalledtheIncarnation.

TheChurchcallsthestoryofthebirthofJesustheNativity.WecanreadaboutJesus’birthinChapters1and2oftheGospelsofSaintMatthewandSaintLukeintheNewTestament.

Look at the picture of the Nativity and see yourself in the story. Tell your class what you see, hear, and feel.

Activity

41

Teach→ Invite the class to silently read

Jesus Is Born.

→ Ask them to look for the meaning of the word Incarnation and another new word about the birth of Jesus, Nativity, as they read.

→ Emphasize that the Holy Spirit helped Mary to trust God the Father’s plan for her and for her only Son, Jesus.

ReinforceAsk the students to underline the meaning of the word Incarnation and create word cards for it.

Connect→ Direct the class to the activity.

Invite the students choose a Christmas hymn about the Nativity and to picture themselves in the story. Facilitate this activity by providing hymnals or the lyrics of Christmas carols from the Internet. Give the students the opportunity to tell the class about their stories and what they saw, heard, and felt.

→ Ask them to write down who trusted God in the Christmas carol story.

PrayAsk the students to bring their answers to prayer. After each student reports who trusted God in his or her story, let the whole group respond:

“Help us to trust you, God.”

THE TASKS OF CATECHESISPromoting Knowledge of the Faith. In addition to the holy days celebrated on January 1, August 15, and December 8, we celebrate the events of Mary’s life on many other days throughout the liturgical year. These include the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary (September 8), Our Lady of Sorrows (September 15), Our Lady of the Rosary (October 7), The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (November 21), Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 12), The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (March 25), The Immaculate Heart of Mary (Saturday after Corpus Christi), The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth (May 31), and the Queenship of Mary (August 22). Mark these dates on your classroom calendar and remember to include a short celebration of Mary on or near these dates.

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DISCOVERDAY 4

Sharing the Good NewsWereadaboutJesus’birthintheGospels

ofSaintMatthewandSaintLukewhichisintheNewTestament.ItwasonlyafterJesusdiedontheCrossthattheGospelswerewrittenbyfouroftheApostles,calledtheEvangelists.TheApostlestoldaboutJesus’birth,life,Death,andResurrection.

InJesus’time,mostpeoplecouldnotread.Theypasseddownthestoriesbywordofmouth.Grandparentstoldtheirgrandchildren.Andtheytoldtheirgrandchildren.

WhenJesuswasborn,theshepherdswerethere.Theshepherdshelpedtotelleveryoneabouttheangelsandthebabylyinginthemanger.TheHolySpirithelpedtheevangelistswriteabouttheNativityofJesus.

HowdoyousharetheGoodNewsaboutMaryandtheNativitywithothers?

Faith FocusWhere can we learn about the birth of Jesus?

42

PrayAsk the students to quiet themselves for prayer. Have them listen quietly and prayerfully as you proclaim Luke 2:8–10.

Teach→ Ask the class how they think they

Gospel writers knew about the birth of Jesus.

→ Invite the students to listen carefully to how people heard Good News of great joy. Read the Sharing the Good News aloud. Point out that angels announced good news of great joy.

ReinforceAsk when the gospels were written and how the Good News of Jesus survived until then.

ConnectAssign each student a person from the story of the Nativity: Joseph, Mary, shepherd, angel, innkeeper, donkey, star, and so on. They may wear a nametag or a simple costume. Let the rest of the children interview each biblical person about what they remember about the birth of Jesus. They may ask for facts and feelings.

Key ConceptThe disciples told the story of Jesus’ birth until the Gospels were written.

Drama. Be prepared for impromptu drama as you teach religion. Students can create scenes of Bible times with a little imagination and a little inspiration. Events such as the Annunciation to Mary or the angels’ announcement to the shepherds are natural opportunities. Keep a box or suitcase full of cloth of various colors and textures, bathrobes, belts or rope ties for robes and headdresses, T-shirts, and hats. Include props such as halos, wings, staffs, and stuffed animals. (Be sure to wash or disinfect the costume materials.)

Music. Use the song “Go Tell It on a Mountain” this week. It is an upbeat and joyful expression of the message of the chapter. If you or the students need help, lyrics are available in many hymnals and music in included on many recordings of Christmas songs.

CROSS-CURRICULAR CONNECTION

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DISCOVER

DECIDEDAY 4

MaryistheMotherofGodandtheMotherofJesus.WehonorMarywhenwepraytoher.MaryisalsotheMotheroftheChurch.WeaskMarytohelpusliveasdisciplesofherSon,Jesus.

I FollowJesusA Disciple’s Passport

It is hard to enter a country without a passport. It is hard to be a disciple of Jesus if you do not serve others. Create an entry for your Discipleship Passport. Draw a picture of of how you haved served others. Write a title beneath your picture.

Ask Mary to help you live as a disciple of her Son.Pray, “Mary, Mother of Jesus, help me to follow your Son each day. Amen.”

This week, I will honor Mary by asking her to help me. I will

.

Activity

My Faith Choice

43

ReinforceRemind the students that Mary is the Mother of God, the Mother of Jesus, and the Mother of the Church. We can ask her help as we live as disciples of Jesus and say yes to God.

Respond→ Introduce the activity. If you have

a passport, show it to the class. Explain that a passport allows a person to enter or leave another country. As they leave or enter, an agent stamps their passport.

→ Ask the students to create an entry for A Disciple’s Passport. Ask them to draw in the space an image of themselves serving as a disciple.

→ Ask volunteers to share their work. Affirm the work of all the children in being disciples of Jesus.

Choose→ Ask the students to decide how

they will honor God as a disciple. Tell them to ask Mary to help them.

→ Invite the students to share with Mary the things that are difficult to do. Tell them to ask for Mary’s help to say “yes” as a disciple.

→ Encourage the students to honor their commitments to live as disciples of Jesus.

CATHOLIC DOCTRINEMary Our Mother. We honor Mary as the Mother of God, the Mother of the Church, and as our Mother, too. In the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers, USCCB, 2007: Washington, D.C.). Mary is also honored as Mother of Christ, Mother of divine grace, Mother most pure, Mother of chaste love, Mother and virgin, sinless Mother, dearest of mothers, model of motherhood, Mother of good counsel, Mother of our Creator, and Mother of our Savior.

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CONCLUDEDAY 5

Chapter ReviewRecallUnscramble the bolded letters to find the words that complete the sentences. Write the words on the lines.

1. The Son of God becoming man without giving up being God is called the CANRAONINIT.

2. The announcement of the birth of Jesus to the Virgin Mary is called the NNUANIOTIACN.

3. The story of the birth of Jesus is called the VIYTINAT.

4. Mary’s visit to Elizabeth is called the ITOVSIATNI.

5. Mary’s great prayer of praise is called the GITCAMINAA.

ReflectLet Mary be your model in prayer. Write a prayer of praise and thanksgiving in honor of Mary.

TO HELP YOU REMEMBER

1. God the Father chose Mary to be the mother of his Son, Jesus.

2. Jesus is the Son of God and the son of Mary. He is true God and true man.

3. Mary shows us what it means to say Yes to God.

Share a Christmas message about Jesus with the class. Then make a card to give to a friend or family member.

Share

44

Incarnation

Annunciation

Nativity

Magnificat

Visitation

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Learning Prayers. To help the students review or learn traditional prayers, such as the prayers of the Rosary, have them make prayer chains. Ask each student or a small group to write each sentence of phrase of a prayer on a strip of paper. Each prayer should be written on a different color of paper. Have the students or groups exchange papers with another group. Challenge them to put the sentences or phrases in order, make loops, and link them together to make a prayer chain. You may wish to display the prayer chains in your prayer space.

TEACHING TIP

PrayBegin class by praying the Sign of the Cross together.

Recall→ Have volunteers read each of the

three To Help You Remember statements. Ask: What is the most important lesson you learned in this chapter? Why is it the most important?

→ Tell the students to unscramble the blue letters and write their answers on the lines to complete the sentences.

ReflectHelp the students imagine Mary as a girl their age. She didn’t just become holy when the angel appeared to her. She was already full of grace. Give the class time to reflect and then write their prayers. Some students may wish to share their prayers at the end of today’s lesson.

ShareBe sure the students understand the truth that this assignment supports. The Incarnation of Jesus is Good News every day! Have the children design their cards. Old Christmas cards may help. Invite them to share their ideas with classmates. Provide construction paper, markers, scissors, glue to make their cards.

DISCOVER

CONCLUDEDAY 5

Salve Maria!Catholics all over the world pray the Hail Mary in their own languages. We can honor Mary by praying the opening words from the Hail Mary in Spanish.

Salve Maria!

We can ask Mary to help us live as disciples of Jesus. Let us honor Mary and praise God. Dios te salve María! Bendita tú eres. (dee yos) (tay) (sal veh)! (ma ree yah) (behn dee tah) (too)!

Dios te salve María! Bendita tú eres.

Mary, you are the Mother of Jesus. María, tú eres la Madre de Jesús. (ma ree ya), (too) (air–es) (lah) (ma dreh) (deh) (hey zoos)

María, tú eres la Madre de Jesús.

Dios te salve María! Bendita tú eres.

María, tú eres la Madre de Jesús.

Dios te salve María! Bendita tú eres.

Leader

All

Leader

Group 1

All

Group 2

All

4545

91Student page 45

LITURGY CONNECTIONMarian Prayers and Devotions. Take time to reacquaint yourself with Marian prayers and devotions such as the Rosary, the Memorare, the Angelus, the Hail, Holy Queen, and the Magnificat. Go to Favorites at BeMyDisciples.com. Review with the students the proper way to pray the Rosary and pray a decade together. During the month of October and on other Marian feast days throughout the liturgical year, take special care to adorn the classroom prayer table with various images of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

We Pray→ Remind the students that we honor

Mary when we pray and ask her to help us live as disciples of Jesus.

→ Point out that Catholics pray Mary’s prayer, the Hail Mary, all over the world and ask for her help. Invite them to honor Mary with praise,

→ Tell the students that they will be praying part of the Hail Mary in Spanish. Teach the class the refrain: “Hail Mary, blessed are you!” in Spanish “Dios te salve Maria! Bendita tú! (dee-ohs) (tay) (sol-vay)! (Bane-dee-tah) (too)!

→ Then teach them the group response: “Mary you are the Mother of Jesus” in Spanish: Maria, tú eres la Madre de Jesús. (Mah-ree-ah) (too) (air-es) (lah) (mah-dray) (day) (hay-zeus)

→ Gather in the prayer center and pray Salve Maria together.

CONCLUDEDAY 5

Visit BeMyDisciples.com

→ Take time with the students to explore the many activities and resources available at Be My Disciples Web site.

→ Encourage them to join with their families to discover the many resources available at the Web site.

This Week . . .In Chapter 3, “Mary Trusted in God, your child learned:

→ God chose Mary to have an honored part in his plan to fulfill his promise to send the world the Savior.

→ Mary believed and trusted God.

→ Mary is the Mother of Jesus, the Savior of the world.

→ Jesus is the Son of God and the son of Mary. Mary is the Mother of God.

→ The Incarnation means that the Son of God who became man without giving up being God. He is true God and true man.

→ The Church honors Mary. When we honor Mary, we honor God.

For more about related teachings of the Church, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 456–478 and 484–507, and the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, pages 141–149.

Sharing God’s WordRead together Luke 1:26–38, the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary. Or read the adaptation of the story on page 38. Emphasize and talk about Mary’s faith and trust in God and her love for him.

We Live as Disciples The Christian home and family is a school of discipleship. Choose one of the following activities to do as a family or design a similar activity of your own.

→ Talk about your family’s devotion to Mary. Discuss ideas together before making your choice.

→ Name ways the members of your family honor one another. How might you be more consistent in the way you honor one another? When you show honor and respect for one another you honor God.

Our Spiritual JourneyDevotion to Mary is central to the prayer practices of the Catholic Church. Read John 19:26–27. Mary is the Mother of the Church. She is our constant companion on our spiritual journey. Praying the Hail Mary reminds us of our identity as Catholics. Pray this prayer daily with your family.

With My Family

For more ideas on ways your family can live as disciples of Jesus, visit

BeMyDisciples.com46

Before Moving On …

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Praying the Rosary. October is the month of the Rosary. To build upon today’s lesson, encourage your third graders’ parents and families to pray at least a decade of the Rosary with their children each day, especially during the month of October. Suggest that they continue this tradition during the month of May, and on Marian feast days throughout the liturgical year. Provide parents with those dates. Send or e-mail directions for praying the Rosary to the parents, or refer them to page 372 in their child’s book.

PARTNERING WITH PARENTS

As you finish today’s lesson, reflect on the following question before moving on to the next chapter.

What more can I do to make sure everyone is involved in class activities?

Preview→ Have the students carefully tear

out pages 45 and 46 along the perforation.

→ Encourage the students to share these pages with their families, and to complete the activities together.

→ If they did not complete the review activity on page 43 by the end of the session, emphasize that they can complete it with their families at home.

→ Point out the title and theme of the next lesson to the students.

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Enriching the LessonRe-Writing Hail MaryPurpose Directions Materials

To help the students better understand the Hail Mary

→ Talk with the students about how you would pray the Hail Mary in modern day language. For example, “Hail” is a form of greeting.

→ Invite each student to work with a partner to rewrite the prayer in familiar words.

→ Ask them to share their prayers in class.

→ Remind them that this activity helps them to understand the meaning of the prayer. However, knowing the traditional words of the prayer is part of their Catholic identity

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Literature ConnectionPurpose Directions Materials

To reinforce the importance of the life of Mary in our faith life (taught on page 40)

→ Tomie dePaola has written a wonderful book about Mary. It is titled Mary: Mother of Jesus (Holiday House, 1995).

→ Before reading the book to the students, ask them to listen for something new they did not know about Mary.

→ Ask the students to share with a partner how Mary is important to their faith.

Mary: Mother of Jesus, by Tomie dePaola.

Role-Playing Scripture Stories about MaryPurpose Directions Materials

To reinforce the stories of the Annunciation and Visitation (taught on pages 39 and 40)

→ Children enjoy role-playing some of the simple Scripture stories, such as the Annunciation and the Visitation.

→ In small groups have the students role-play the Scripture stories. Read to the students the longer versions of the Gospel stories found in the New Testament: Luke 1:26–38 and Luke 1:46–55.

→ Invite the students to take the parts of Mary, the archangel Gabriel, and Elizabeth. Have the children take turns playing each of the characters, while using their own dialogue to move the stories along.

→ Consider presenting the Gospel stories for another class.

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CHAPTER 4

Ministry and Mission of JesusAt the beginning of his public life, Jesus announced that his mission and ministry was the fulfillment of the promises of the prophet Isaiah. After taking the scroll of the Prophet Isaiah and reading aloud the words of the prophet describing the time of Salvation, Jesus boldly proclaimed, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21).

Jesus’ entire life proclaimed and brought about this Good News of Salvation. His mission was to bring Good News to the poor, freedom to captives, sight to the blind, and liberation from everything and everyone that oppressed people.

His healing enlightened the blind to see and the lame to walk with faith. His trusting obedience to the will of his Father brought Redemption to humanity and to all of creation. Jesus’ whole life revealed, restored and reconciled humanity to the loving, merciful life of God the Father.

The Mission of the ChurchThrough the original fall of the first parents, the original holiness that humanity had was lost, but not forever. The Good News is that “salvation is offered to all through Christ” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 389). Saint Paul reminded the early Church, “[w]here sin increased, grace abounded all the more’” (Romans 5:20).

The victory that Christ has won over sin has given us greater blessings than those which sin has taken from us.

Through Baptism all believers are made sharers in the mission and saving work of Jesus Christ.

Christ enables us to live in him all that he himself lived, and he lives it in us. “By his Incarnation, he, the Son of God, has in a certain way united himself with each man.”3 We are called only to become one with him, for he enables us as the members of his Body to share in what he lived for us in his flesh as our model. Catechism of the Catholic Church 521

The Church, the Body of Christ, is the sign and means of Salvation for all people. She carries out his mission through the celebration of the Sacraments and through the witness of our lives. In communion with Christ, the Head of his Body, the Church, both Head and members, proclaims the Good News of Salvation through Word and Sacrament. She continues the work until Christ comes again in glory.

BACKGROUND

The Divine Work of SalvationThe Good News of our liberation from sin and Death through the life, Passion (suffering and Death), and Resurrection of Jesus is at the heart of the Gospel proclamation. The birth, life and Paschal Mystery of Jesus Christ is Good News for humanity.

The Christian message proclaims the gift of salvation of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ announcement of the Kingdom of God marks a new and definitive intervention by God “with a transforming power equal and even superior to his creation of the world.” NDC, 25C; GDC, 101

Which Gospel stories illustrate the transforming power of Christ for me?How do my deeds and words proclaim and invite others to share in the Good News of Salvation in Christ?

Jesus, the Son of God

For Reflection

Grade 3

95

Teacher PrayerGod, our loving Father, you sent your Son, Jesus, your Promised One and Messiah. Send the Holy Spirit to help us prepare for the coming of the Kingdom Jesus announced. Amen.

The Church Teaches…“The Gospel message of salvation in Jesus Christ has a distinctly historical character. Jesus Christ is a historical figure who preached the Good News of the coming of the Kingdom of God in time. The Incarnation, passion, death, and Resurrection of Christ are real historical events. Jesus Christ poured out his Holy Spirit and established the Church on Pentecost, thereby ushering in a new era of salvation history: the age of the Church” (National Directory for Catechesis, 25E).

For this reason, each and every chapter incorporates prayerful Scripture passages. By doing so, we cooperate in helping the Church transmit her memory of God’s plan of salvation from generation to generation.

Further Reading and ReflectionFor more related teachings of the Catholic Church on the mysteries of the infancy, hidden life, and public life of Christ, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 512–560; and the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, pages 79–87.

Teacher to TeacherGod’s Constant LoveGod does not pay attention to you sometimes and ignore you at other times. His love for you and the children is consistent, continual, and unconditional. His love does not alter when your faith or the children’s faith vacillates. You can count on God.

Be ConsistentAs you plan each lesson, look for ways to be consistent—in the way you greet the students, in the way you pray, in the way you call them to respect you and one another. Consistency helps children to know what to expect which, in turn, provides a security that enables them to be at ease with themselves, with you, and with God. Your consistency shows the children God’s constant and continual love for them.

To explore Jesus’ command to help those in need

Pages 47–49

→ Proclaim and discuss Matthew 25:34–36 (When I was hungry, you gave me food).

→ Learn the story of Saint Martin de Porres.

Disciple Power: Justice

Activity: Write an acrostic about Saint Martin de Porres.

Bible

Pencils

Crayons or markers

Holy Childhood Association materials (if available)

To discover that Jesus is the Messiah

Pages 50–51

→ Learn about Simeon declaring in the Temple that Jesus is the Messiah.

Scripture Story: the Presentation (Luke 2:28–30, 37–38)

Faith Vocabulary: Messiah

Faith-Filled People: Saint Joseph

Activity: Role-play the Presentation.

Crayons or markers

Index cards

Enriching the Lesson:Teacher Guide, page 109

Literature Connection:The Family Under the Bridge

To learn that Jesus brought us the Good News of the Kingdom of God

Pages 52–53

→ Hear the story of Mary and Joseph finding Jesus teaching in the Temple.

Scripture Story: Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:46–47, 51–52)

Catholics Believe: The Kingdom of God

Faith Vocabulary: Kingdom of God

Activity: Write ideas about how to share the Good News of the Kingdom of God.

Pencils

Crayons or markers

Index cards

Enriching the Lesson: Teacher Guide, page 109Learning a Rhyme about the Kingdom of God

To decide on a way to treat people justly as Jesus did

Pages 54–55

Scripture story: Pentecost (Acts 2:1–4, 14, 22–24, 36)

Activity: Write a headline about building the Kingdom of God.

My Faith Choice: Choose a way to act justly.

Enriching the Lesson: Teacher Guide, page 109 Catholic Social Teaching: Designing a Web Page

Additional Activities Booklet: Activities 4a and 4b or see BeMyDisciples.com

To learn that in a prayer of petition we ask God’s help to do better

Pages 56–58

→ REVIEW Review concepts: Recall, Reflect, and Share.

→ PRAY Lord, Have Mercy

→ Grade 3 Music CD

Bible, cross, candle for prayer space, pencils

Assessment Tools Booklet: Assessments 4a and 4b

Preview the With My Family page and the theme of the next chapter.

Focus

Focus

Focus

Focus

Focus

LESSON PART PROCESS MATERIALS and RESOURCES

DAY 1 EXPLORE

DAY 2 DISCOVER

DAY 3 DISCOVER

DAY 4 DECIDE

DAY 5 CONCLUDE

Lesson PlannerTo discover the Good News of the birth and public ministry of Jesus ChristGoal

Chapter 4 Jesus, the Son of God

Grade 396

Lesson PlannerChapter 4 Jesus, the Son of God

BeMyDisciples.com

Assign online Chapter Review at

EXPLOREDAY 1

�Who�takes�care�of�you�when�you�are�sick?�What�do�they�do?

Imagine�you�are�with�Jesus�and�his�disciples.�Jesus�says:

“The kingdom of God has been prepared for you from the creation of the world. You will enter the kingdom because when I was hungry you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me water to drink . . . I was ill and you cared for me.”

Matthew 25:34–36

�How�do�you�help�others?

Jesus, the Son of God

CHAPTER

4EXPLORE how Martin de Porres treated people with mercy and justice.

DISCOVER that Jesus, the Son of God, is the Messiah.

DECIDE to treat people justly as Jesus commanded.

Looking AheadIn this chapter, the Holy Spirit will help you to →

47

97Student page 47

Pray→ Ask the students to quiet

themselves and remember that God is present with them. Begin with the Sign of the Cross and this short blessing prayer:

Dear Jesus, Be with us today as we learn more about your life and work. Amen.

Reflect→ Remind the class that Mary

is the Mother of Jesus and that she trusted in God. Ask the students to share what they did to honor Mary this week.

→ Ask the students to respond to the introduction questions.

→ Ask the students to close their eyes as you introduce and then proclaim the Scripture reading. After a moment of silence, ask them to think about what it might be like to be hungry, thirsty, or sick and not have anyone to take care of them.

→ Ask the class to open their eyes, then ask them what they heard God saying in the Scripture.

→ Ask the students to share how they see people of their school or parish helping others. Discuss how they can help others.

FocusPoint out the looking ahead feature. Share with the children that they are going to meet a Saint who helped people when they needed food and clothing and a place to sleep.

TEACHING TIPCreating a Time Line. Students in the third grade are beginning to develop a sense of history. To help them visualize the major events in the life of Jesus, create a time line large enough to be seen at a distance, and place it in front of the students as you teach this chapter. As the children learn more about the life of Jesus, you may choose to add to the time line. The graphic will set a foundation that will help the students recall the important events in the life of Jesus.

EXPLOREDAY 1

The Church Follows

JesusDisciple Power

Justice

Justice is the virtue, or good habit, of treating everyone fairly with love, care, and respect.

Good News in Action Martin�de�Porres�grew�up�in�poverty�in�Lima,�

Peru.�Peru�is�a�country�in�South�America.�When�he�was�a�young�man,�Martin�joined�a�group�of�religious�men�called�Dominicans.�The�Dominicans�follow�the�good�example�of�Saint�Dominic.�

Martin�was�called�Brother�Martin.�Brother�Martin�did�the�things�Jesus�told�his�disciples�to�do.�He�was�in�charge�of�a�hospital�and�helped�care�for�people�who�were�sick.�

When�patients�asked�for�glass�of�water,�Brother�Martin�would�gladly�get�it�for�them.�He�asked�people�to�give�him�money�to�feed�people�who�were�hungry.�

Brother�Martin�also�started�a�home�for�children�who�had�nowhere�to�live.�They�had�no�parents�to�care�for�them.�He�welcomed�them�and�gave�them�clothes�and�gave�them�food.�

The�Church�named�Brother�Martin�a�Saint.�Saint�Martin�de�Porres�is�a�good�example�for�us.�He�listened�to�Jesus.�He�did�what�Jesus�asked�his�followers�to�do.

�How�did�Martin�practice�the�virtue�of�justice?

48

DISCIPLE POWER

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Justice. “That’s not fair!” children will often exclaim to parents, grandparents, teachers, and coaches. One of the aims of justice is to treat others fairly. Children see this in terms of their everyday experiences. “Why does he get to be first in line again?” “Why do you always call on her for the answer?” Help children cultivate the habit of justice by modeling the fair treatment of each student. Make sure that all have a turn to go first in line, to be your helper, to answer a question, to be a team leader, or to serve as the leader of prayer. By your consistency in these seemingly small matters, you are helping to cultivate the habit of justice by treating all the students with fairness.

Introduce→ Read the Disciple Power feature

aloud and talk with the students about justice.

→ Explain that justice is a Cardinal Virtue or hinge virtue. It is a habit we can develop to treat everyone fairly, with love, care, and respect.

→ Tell the students they are going to learn about Saint Martin de Porres, who cared for the poor and sick. Emphasize that he was a disciple of Jesus.

→ Ask volunteers to read aloud about Good News in Action.

Reinforce→ Ask the class to name some things

that Saint Martin did because he was a disciple of Jesus. (cared for the sick, gave drink to the thirsty, and gave the needy money)

→ Have the students make a list of people they think might need help in your parish. Ask them to write down what these people need.

Connect→ Have the children think about the

reflection question.

→ Ask volunteers to share their answers.

→ Point out that helping others is a way to spread the Good News of Jesus.

EXPLOREDAY 1

Martin of CharityMartin�de�Porres�was�canonized�in�

1962�by�Pope�John�XXIII.�That�means�he�became�an�official�Saint�of�the�Church.�Martin�was�also�named�the�Patron�Saint�of�justice�because�of�how�he�worked�with�different�cultures�of�people.�Martin�helped�the�sick,�the�poor,�the�farm�workers,�and�people�of�different�cultures.�Martin�earned�the�name�he�was�called�by�the�people�of�Lima.�They�called�him,�Martin�of�Charity.

The�Holy�Childhood�Association�helps�children�do�what�Saint�Martin�de�Porres�did.�Children�collect�money�that�is�used�to�help�children�in�more�than�one�hundred�countries.�The�money�helps�provide�clean�water,�food,�medicine,�education,�and�places�to�live.

�How�can�you�show�charity�to�others?�

Activity Use each letter in Saint Martin’s name to tell how he was a disciple of Jesus.

R

T

N

I

A

M

49

Used oney to buy food.

99Student page 49

Introduce→ Read Martin of Charity aloud to

the class.

→ Talk about what charity means. It is the love that helps us see and do what another person needs.

→ Show the students materials about the Holy Childhood Association, Explain that it is a Catholic organization that helps children help other children in need.

Reinforce→ Ask what the people of Lima called

Martin. (Martin of Charity) Ask how Martin helped children. Make a list of answers on the board. (started a home for children without a home or parents; welcomed them, gave them food, and clothes)

Connect→ Tell students that they may use the

list on the board and their books to complete the activity.

→ Challenge those who finish first to make a similar acrostic puzzle using their own first names. Those with longer names may ask classmates for help.

PrayInvite the children to quiet themselves as you pray:

Saint Martin of Charity, help us to see the needs of others. May we follow your example of love, care, and respect. Help us to treat everyone with justice. Amen.

CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHINGJustice. Martin de Porres exemplifies the virtue of justice. He worked tirelessly so people could have basic needs of food, shelter, and medical care. Like Jesus, he had a special love for those who were poor, marginalized, or treated unfairly. Point out to the students that charity is not just giving money to the poor, or donating clothing that doesn’t fit them anymore. It is a matter of justice, recognizing that all people have rights, dignity, and deserve respect. Many stories about Martin’s charity illustrate these points. Ask volunteers to research and then act out stories about Martin de Porres: Giving away the food as a child, working as a barber and porter at the Dominican monastery, his care for animals, his ability to help more people by being in two locations at the same time.

DISCOVERDAY 2

Jesus Is the SaviorThe�angel�Gabriel�told�Mary�to�name�her�

Son,�Jesus.�The�name�Jesus�means�“God�saves.”�Jesus�is�the�Messiah,�the�Savior�whom�God�promised�to�send�his�people.�God’s�people�were�waiting�a�long�time�for�the�Savior�who�was�coming�to�save�them.

Mary�and�Joseph�were�faithful�Jews.�Soon�after�Jesus�was�born,�they�took�the�baby��Jesus�to�the�Temple.�The�Temple�was�in�the�city�of�Jerusalem.�The�Temple�was�the�most�important�place�of�Jewish�worship.�There,��Mary�and�Joseph�presented,�or�dedicated,��the�baby�Jesus�to�God.�The�Church�calls�this�event�the�Presentation�of�the�Lord.�

�How�would�you�describe�the�Good�News��of�Jesus?

Faith FocusWhat is the Good News of Jesus Christ?

Faith VocabularyMessiah The word messiah means “anointed one.” Jesus is the Messiah. He is the Anointed One of God, the Savior God promised to send.

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PraySay together the first part of the Hail Mary.

Teach→ Talk with the students about

some of the responsibilities of new parents.

→ Point out that one of Mary and Joseph’s responsibilities was to raise Jesus in their Jewish faith.

→ Point out the Faith Focus question. Then have the students silently read Jesus Is the Savior to find some good news.

ReinforceAsk the following questions:

What does the name Jesus mean? (God saves.)

What was the Good News in this reading? (Jesus is the Savior whom God promised to send his People.)

What did Mary and Joseph do as part of raising Jesus in their faith? (They presented, or dedicated, the baby Jesus to God.)

ConnectAsk the students if they have waited a long time for something to happen. Ask them what they waited for and what it was like to wait. Invite responses.

Key ConceptJesus is the Messiah and Savior of the world.

Jesus the Messiah. The word Messiah means “Anointed One.” In ancient Israel kings, priests, and prophets were anointed in God’s name as a sign that they were chosen or consecrated to carry out God’s mission (Catechism of the Catholic Church 436). Jesus Christ, the “Anointed One,” was sent by God the Father to save his people from their sins. He is the Messiah, the “Anointed One” whom the prophets foretold, and whose return we await at the end of time.

TEACHING VOCABULARY

DISCOVER

DISCOVERDAY 2

Role-play the Presentation of the Lord with your classmates. Answer these questions to prepare for your role.

How do you think Mary and Joseph felt as they traveled to Jerusalem?

How do you think Simeon and Anna felt when they saw Jesus?

How do you think Mary felt when she heard the words of Simeon and Anna?

Simeon and AnnaWhen�Mary�and�Joseph�arrived�at�the�

Temple,�they�met�Simeon�and�Anna.�They�had�been�waiting�all�their�lives�for�the�Messiah�whom�God�promised�to�send.

Here�is�how�the�Gospel�describes�what�happened:

Simeon took Jesus in his arms, blessed God, and said, “O God, my eyes have now seen your salvation.” He recognized that Jesus was the Messiah for whom he had been waiting. Anna, who was a widow, saw Jesus and gave thanks to God. Then she told others about Jesus.

Based on Luke 2:28–30, 37–38

�What�can�you�do�to�share�the�Good�News�of�Jesus?�

Saint Joseph

Joseph is Mary’s husband. The Bible tells us that Joseph was a carpenter. He is the Patron Saint of workers. The feast day of Joseph, Husband of Mary, is on March 19. The feast day of Saint Joseph the Worker is on May 1.

Faith-Filled People

Activity

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TeachTell the students that now they are going to find out what happened when Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus to the Temple. Call on volunteers to read.

Reinforce→ Ask who Mary and Joseph met

in the Temple. What did Simeon say or do? (Simeon took Jesus in his arms and blessed God.) What did Anna say or do? (When Anna saw Jesus she thanked God. She told everyone that she had seen the Messiah.)

→ Invite the students to quietly read the Faith-Filled People information about Joseph.

Connect→ Simeon said he had seen God’s

Salvation when he saw Jesus. Ask volunteers to share what they think he meant. (Simeon recognized that Jesus was the promised Messiah.)

→ Direct the students to the activity. Divide the class into three groups. Ask each group to read and answer one of the questions. Have each group share its answer with the class.

→ Let volunteers role-play the scene of the Presentation in the Temple.

PrayAsk the children to read together the prayer of Simeon:

“O God, my eyes have now seen your Salvation. Amen.”

FAITH-FILLED PEOPLE

Saint Joseph. Though there is not much that is said about Joseph in the Scriptures, we do know that he was a man of great faith. He was also a kind and compassionate man. After an angel visited Joseph in a dream, Joseph did what was commanded of him. He willingly served the Lord and helped to bring Jesus into the world safely so that we could be saved from sin and death. Joseph took his duty to care for Jesus seriously, bringing Jesus to the Temple as well as teaching him a trade to support himself. Joseph is the patron Saint of fathers and of workers. For more information on Saint Joseph, go to the Saints Resource at BeMyDisciples.com.

DISCOVERDAY 3

Finding Jesus in the TempleWhen�Jesus�was�twelve�years�old,�he�went�

with�Joseph�and�Mary�to�celebrate�Passover�in�Jerusalem.�Passover�celebrates�God’s�mercy�and�love�for�his�people.�It�especially�celebrates�God�freeing�his�people�from�slavery�in�Egypt.

When�the�celebration�of�Passover�ended,�Mary�and�Joseph�left�for�home.�But�they�could�not�find�Jesus.�So�they�went�back�and�searched�the�city�of�Jerusalem�for�three�days.�

Mary and Joseph found Jesus in the Temple. He was sitting there with the teachers. He was listening to them and asking them questions. Then he left the Temple with Mary and Joseph. They joined their friends and relatives and returned home to Nazareth. Jesus was obedient to Mary and Joseph. Jesus grew in wisdom, age, and grace. Based on Luke 2:46–47, 51–52

�What�question�do�you�want�to�ask�your�parish�priest�or�teacher�about�Jesus?

Faith FocusWhat is the Kingdom of God?

Faith VocabularyKingdom of God The time when all people will live in peace and justice with God and with one another and with all creation. God’s Kingdom will be complete when Christ returns in glory at the end of time.

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PrayAsk the students to quiet themselves as you begin class with this prayer:

Help us, Lord Jesus, to find you love you more each day. Amen.

Teach→ Ask the students if they have ever

been lost, and what their parents did.

→ Read the first two paragraphs of Finding Jesus in the Temple.

→ Have two volunteers proclaim the story of Jesus in the Temple based on Luke 2:46–47, 51–52.

Reinforce→ Ask where Mary and Joseph found

Jesus. (in the Temple) Be sure the children know that this is the same holy place where Jesus was presented as a baby.

→ Ask what happened when Jesus went home to Nazareth. (Jesus grew in wisdom, age, and grace.)

→ Remind the students that all families are to be holy families. Ask them to share ways their families are holy families.

Connect→ Ask the students to imagine Jesus

in the Temple. What questions do they think he was asking the teachers? What they would have asked if they were there. What would they like to ask a priest today?

→ Provide a Question Box for the students. Invite your pastor to answer the questions.

Key ConceptJesus’ whole life on Earth was dedicated to his Father.

CROSS-CURRICULAR CONNECTIONWriting. After discussing how Mary and Joseph were a faithful Jewish family, ask the students to think about how their families are faithful Catholic families. What have their parents or grandparents done to bring them closer to the Church? How do their parents and families nurture their faith? By going to Mass on Sunday? By sending them to a Catholic school? By their good example? Invite the students to write a thank you letter to their parents or another family member. Incorporate in the assignment the writing skills you are currently teaching in class. It may be practice in composing complete sentences, cursive handwriting, writing a poem, developing keyboard skills, or spelling. Consider adding a review on how to address an envelope and have the children mail their letters.

DISCOVER

DISCOVERDAY 3

Write your ideas on ways you can share the Good News about the Kingdom of God. Share it with your class.

Catholics Believe

The Kingdom of God

Each time we act as disciples of Jesus the Kingdom of God grows among us. The Kingdom of God will never be complete here on Earth. When Jesus returns, we will live in peace and justice with God and one another. In the Gospels, the Kingdom of God is also called the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Kingdom of GodJesus�grew�up�in�a�little�town�in�Palestine.�

His�neighbors�were�people�who�waited�and�watched�for�the�Promised�One.�They�hoped�and�believed�that�the�Messiah�would�come�and�save�them.�Jesus�was�the�Savior�God�promised.

When�Jesus�was�about�thirty�years�old,�he�left�his�home�in�Nazareth.�He�began�the�work�his�Father�sent�him�to�do.�Jesus�traveled�from�place�to�place.�Most�of�the�time�he�walked.�

Jesus�taught�people�the�Good�News�of�the�Kingdom of God.�The�Kingdom�of�God�is�the�time�of�peace�and�justice�for�all.

What�can�you�do�to�share�the�Good�News�about�the�Kingdom�of�God?�

Activity

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Teach→ Discuss how good news spreads.

(phone, text, IM, email, and so on)

→ Ask the class how they think people spread good news in the time of Jesus.

→ Read aloud The Kingdom of God. Ask the students to find and underline the meaning of the words Kingdom of God.

→ Go over the Faith Vocabulary words. Then ask a volunteer to read Catholics Believe.

→ Emphasize that Jesus’ disciples came to know and believe that Jesus was the Son of God and the Savior sent by God.

Reinforce→ Elicit what the students learned

about Jesus on this page.

→ Direct the class to make word cards for the Faith Vocabulary words.

Connect→ Engage the students in looking

over the descriptions of the Kingdom of God. Have them highlight descriptive words.

→ Then ask what they have learned about the Kingdom of God.

→ Invite the students to draw a picture of the Kingdom of God based on what they learned.

PrayPray:

Our Father . . .

HUMAN METHODOLOGIESLearning by Apprenticeship. The National Directory for Catechesis explains that apprenticeship is an excellent way to teach discipleship (NDC 29H). On one level, the children are your apprentices. That is why your modeling of Christian behavior is so important. Children learn well from one another. Consider partnering with an older class on a project.

Key ConceptJesus shared the Good News of the Kingdom of God.

DISCOVERDAY 4

Faith FocusWhat does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus?

Disciples Spread the Good NewsMany�people�listened�to�Jesus�and�some�

of�the�people�became�his�disciples.�A�disciple�learns�from�someone�and�follows�that�person’s�teachings.�The�disciples�of�Jesus�had�great�respect�for�him.�They�showed�this�respect�by�calling�him�Rabbi,�or�Teacher.�

The�disciples�came�to�believe�that�Jesus�was�the�Son�of�God�and�the�Messiah.�Like�Anna�and�Simeon,�the�disciples�believed�Jesus�was�the�One�whom�God�promised�to�send�to�be�our�Savior.

The�disciples�told�many�people�that�Jesus�was�the�Messiah.�Listen�to�what�Peter�told�the�people.�

One day when all of the disciples were in one place together, they were all filled with the holy Spirit. The disciples began to speak in different languages. Peter was with them. Suddenly, he was not afraid. He stood before a huge crowd of people and said loudly, “Jesus from Nazareth is the Messiah. He is the one everyone has been looking for. He is risen. We have seen, and we believe.” Based on acts 2:1–4, 14, 22–24, 36

�What�are�two�words�that�you�think�describe�a�good�disciple?Peter Preaches at Pentecost,

T. W. Wilson, c. 1910.

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PrayInvite the students to quiet themselves for prayer. Leader:

Lord, thy kingdom come

Response:

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Repeat three times.

Teach→ Ask the students to be alert for

what it means to be a disciple.

→ Invite volunteers to read aloud Disciples Spread the Good News.

ReinforceAsk the students, without looking at the page, to define disciple. Then let them scan the page and find other details or additions. (A disciple learns from someone and follows his teachings. A disciple tells others what he has witnessed and believes is true.)

Connect→ Ask a volunteer to read the

reflection questions. Give the students little time to think. Tell them to write the two words they think describe a good disciple.

→ Then, ask them to think about how the two words describe them as a disciples.

Key ConceptDisciples of Jesus believe and witness that he is the Son of God and the Messiah.

Language Arts: Help the students form news teams to produce reports for the Good News Channel. Assign one team to cover the content of Peter’s speech on Pentecost. Another team should interview people who were in the crowd that morning. Other teams may work on the stories behind the headlines suggested in the Building God’s Kingdom activity on the Decide page: Local Schools Collect Coats for Kids, Pet Adoptions on the Rise, and Kids Organize Recycling Drive. Or reports on actual events the children are aware of in your community, school, or classroom.

CROSS-CURRICULAR CONNECTION

DECIDEDAY 4

My Faith Choice

I FollowJesusEvery�time�you�do�what�Jesus�taught�

his�disciples�to�do,�you�are�living�the�Gospel.�When�you�treat�others�with�justice�and�respect,�you�live�as�a�disciple�of�Jesus.�You�help�prepare�for�the�coming�of�the�Kingdom�of�God.

Building God’s Kingdom Look at these newspaper headlines. Circle the events that are helping to build the Kingdom of God. Then write a headline telling how you are helping to build the Kingdom of God.

1 Many Go Hungry in Big Cities

2 Local Schools Collect Coats for Kids

3 Crime Wave Breaks Out

4 Pet Adoptions on the Rise

5 Kids Organize Recycling Drive

Pray, “Thy kingdom come” several times. “Help me Jesus live as your disciple. Amen.”

This week, I will treat people justly as Jesus did. I will

.

Activity

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CATHOLIC DOCTRINEThe Kingdom of God. Jesus preached the Good News of the coming of the Kingdom of God. As Jesus’ announcement of the kingdom is made repeatedly in the Scriptures, we are reminded that we are called to continually prepare for the kingdom by living and proclaiming the Good News. Help the students see how the actions they take as disciples of Jesus can help prepare for the coming of the Kingdom of God. Extend the “Building God’s Kingdom” discussion to include mock headlines that third-graders will understand. These could include, “New Student Arriving Next Week,” “Tommy’s Neighbor Falls from Ladder,” or “Neighborhood Children Need Toys.” Talk about the way that each situation provides an opportunity for them to build the Kingdom of God.

ReinforceRemind the students that every time they live out their faith, they are building the Kingdom of God.

Respond→ Invite the class to look at the

newspaper headlines on the page.

→ Ask them to identify which events help build the Kingdom of God. Which do not? Who is acting with justice and who is not? Explain why.

Choose→ Ask the students to decide how

they will act justly and announce the Good News. Have them write their choice in the text.

→ Invite the students to silently ask Jesus to help them treat everyone fairly and with respect.

→ Encourage the students to keep their commitments to act justly and announce the Good News.

CONCLUDEDAY 5

Chapter Review

RecallMatch the people and places in the left column with the meanings in the right column.

People and Places

___ 1. Anna and Simeon

___ 2. disciples

___ 3. Temple

___ 4. justice

___ 5. Jerusalem

Meanings

a. People who are followers of Jesus

b. The holy city of the Jewish people

c. Treating everyone fairly with care and respect

d. People who recognized the infant Jesus to be the Messiah

e. The most important place of Jewish worship

ReflectWrite two ways that you show love and respect for your parents and families.

TO HELP YOU REMEMBER

1. Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the Savior God promised to send.

2. Jesus obeyed Mary and Joseph and grew in wisdom, age, and grace.

3. Jesus announced the Good News of the Kingdom of God.

Share with your class how you would like to grow in wisdom this year like Jesus did.

Share

56

d

a

e

c

b

Student page 56106

Classroom Behavior. Some third graders may still base good behavior on their desire to stay out of trouble and avoid punishment. Others have moved to the next stage, in which they equate what is right with fairness. As the year progresses, you will recognize both stages and deal with situations where they conflict. You will also get to know the children individually and recognize their motivation. It will be important to assess each situation carefully and listen to all sides of the story before passing judgment. When you model justice in the way you deal with infractions in the classroom the students will embrace the virtue. Always let your students know that you expect their best behavior.

TEACHING TIP

PrayRemind the students that God is always present with them. Begin class by praying the Sign of the Cross slowly and reverently together.

Recall→ Instruct the students to match

the people and places in the left column with the meanings in the right column.

→ Conclude by asking: What is the most important lesson you learned in this chapter? Why is it the most important?

→ Have volunteers take turns reading the To Help You Remember statements to reinforce learning.

ReflectInvite volunteers to share their ideas. Encourage all of the students to think of ways they show love and respect for their parents and families, and to share those ideas with a partner.

ShareElicit the students’ thoughts about how they can grow in wisdom as Jesus did.

CONCLUDEDAY 5

Lord, Have MercyIn a prayer of petition we ask for God’s help to do better. We ask for God’s mercy or forgiveness when we do not act as we should.

Many of the first disciples who were baptized lived in places where they spoke Greek or Latin. Latin became the official language of the Catholic Church. One prayer that remained Greek was the Kyrie Eleison, which means “Lord, have mercy.” It may be used as a petition during Mass.

Lord Jesus, you came to gather all people into the peace of God’s Kingdom. Kyrie eleison. Lord have mercy.

Kyrie eléison. Lord, have mercy.

Lord, Jesus, you announced the Good News of the coming of your Kingdom. Christe eleison. Christ, have mercy.

Christe eléison. Christ, have mercy.

You will come in glory with Salvation for all your people. Kyrie eleison. Lord have mercy.

Kyrie eléison. Lord, have mercy. Amen. Based on the RoMan MissaL

Leader

All

Leader

All

Leader

All

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TASKS OF CATECHESISTeaching to Pray. The “Lord, have mercy” or Kyrie is a prayer or hymn that gives Glory to God for his great mercy—God’s great love and compassion. The “Jesus Prayer,” which is based on Luke 18:38, is an expanded form of the “Lord, have mercy” prayer. Read this Gospel story to the students. From time to time, use the “Lord, have mercy” prayer to augment the opening or closing prayer of the lesson. This would be especially appropriate when the focus of the lesson is sin and forgiveness, reconciliation, God’s mercy and compassion, or throughout the liturgical season of Lent.

We Pray→ Explain to the students that the

prayer they will pray today is a prayer of mercy. Let them know that asking for forgiveness helps us be better disciples. That is why we pray, “Lord, have mercy” at the beginning of every Mass.

→ Remind the students that they know it is not enough to say they are sorry. They must also try to do something to show they are sorry.

→ Gather the class and lead the prayer. Ask the students to respond “Lord, have mercy” or “Christ, have mercy” after each petition.

CONCLUDEDAY 5

Visit BeMyDisciples.com

→ Take time with the students to explore the many activities and resources available at Be My Disciples Web site.

→ Encourage them to join with their families to discover the many resources available at the Web site.

→ Establish a “Circle of Care” in your family. Come together at a regular time and sit in a circle around a table or on the floor. Each person names a way he or she is acting with fairness and showing respect. No one in the cirle can accuse another, but each can praise another’s success.

→ Make a forgiveness poster to remind family members of the importance of forgiveness. Remember that the work of Jesus the Messiah is a work of forgiveness. Grow as a forgiving family. Include the prayer “Lord, have mercy” as part of your daily prayer.

Our Spiritual JourneyConversion to Christ is a life-long process. Acts of penance are part of the spiritual discipline of deepening our relationship with Jesus Christ and with one another. Small acts of penance no one notices or sees are the hallmark of true penance. See Matthew 6:16–18.

Sharing God’s WordRead together Luke 2: 22, 33–38, the Presentation, or dedication, of Jesus in the Temple. Or read the adaptation of the story on pages 50–51. Talk with your child and describe that at Baptism, you presented him or her to the Church and she or he became an adopted daughter or son of God.

We Live as Disciples The Christian home and family is a school of discipleship. Choose one of the following activities to do as a family or design a similar activity of your own.

This Week . . .In Chapter 4, “Jesus, the Son of God,” your child learned:

→ God the Father sent his Son, Jesus Chirst, as the Messiah.

→ Jesus is the Anointed One, or the Messiah, and the Christ. He is the Savior of the world.

→ Simeon and Anna recognized the infant Jesus to be the Messiah when Mary and Joseph presented him in the Temple in Jerusalem.

→ Jesus grew up in Nazareth. He left his home when he was about thirty years old and he traveled about announcing the coming of the Kingdom of God.

→ Practicing the virtue of justice helps prepare the way for the coming of God’s Kingdom.

For more about related teachings of the Church, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 512–560, and the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, pages 79–87.

With My Family

For more ideas on ways your family can live as disciples of Jesus, visit

BeMyDisciples.com58

Before Moving On …

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Be Prepared. The activities in this unit and throughout the coming chapters often call for art supplies. It is always good to look ahead to the next chapter or two to see what activities you want to incorporate into your lessons, and the supplies that might be needed. Most are things you already have on hand, in school, or at home. Make it easier on yourself by having a basic supply tote bag or box ready to go at all times. When an activity calls for special supplies such as boxes or paper towel rolls to be brought from home, have extras on hand for those students who forget to bring theirs to class. Invite parents and families to send extras, too. In doing so, you will enable all of the students to take part in the activity.

THE LAST WORD

As you finish today’s lesson, reflect on the following question before moving on to the next chapter.

Am I allowing quiet time for the students to think about the concepts I am presenting?

Preview→ Have the students carefully tear

out pages 57 and 58 along the perforation.

→ Encourage the students to share these pages with their families, and to complete the activities together.

→ If they did not complete the review activity on page 55 by the end of the session, emphasize that they can complete it with their families at home.

→ Point out the title and theme of the next lesson to the students.

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Enriching the LessonLearning a Rhyme About the Kingdom of GodPurpose Directions Materials

To reinforce the teaching that Jesus preached about the Kingdom of God (taught on page 47)

Teach the following rhyme to reinforce the chapter’s key concepts.

Jesus traveled far and wide He did not go alone. He brought with him a bunch of folks He soon would call his own.

Together Jesus and his friends Spoke of God’s terrific plan To bring to Earth the love of God For each woman, child, and man.

Now it is our time to tell With words and actions, kind The message that we heard from him For every heart and mind.

God’s kingdom has begun, it’s true! His peace and love are near! Let’s shout it from the rooftops So everyone will hear!

copies of the rhyme

Literature ConnectionPurpose Directions Materials

To extend the teaching about the Holy Family (taught on page 49)

In The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Savage Carlson (Harper Collins Children’s Books, 1989), Armand, a penniless hobo, is irritated to find that a single mother and her three children have claimed his “home” under a bridge. Gradually, he learns from them the true meaning of family love.

→ Read the first chapter of the book to the students. Invite them to predict what will happen next.

→ Loan the book to an interested student and ask him or her to report the outcome to the class in a future session.

→ Remind the students that the perfect model of love for all families is the Holy Family.

The Family Under the Bridge, by Natalie Savage Carlson

Purpose Directions Materials

To reinforce ways we announce the Good News of Jesus Christ to prepare for the coming of the Kingdom of God (taught on pages 55)

→ Brainstorm with the students ways they can prepare for the coming of the Kingdom of God.

→ Have the students create their own Web pages in small groups with drawings that illustrate what third graders can do to build God’s Kingdom.

→ Encourage them to make their Web pages attractive by using illustrations and bright colors.

→ Ask the students to work with their families to implement one of their suggestions.

→ Display the completed Web pages in an area of the school where others can see them.

construction paper

crayons or markers

magazines and newspapers

Catholic Social Teaching: Designing a Web Page

Catholic Social Teaching

WE CARE FOR GOD’S CREATION

Taking care of God’s creation is a responsibility we all share. God has trusted us with the care of the Earth and all its animals.

The Desert TortoiseThe Mojave Desert in California is the

home of the Desert Tortoise. Since 1989, the Desert Tortoise has been a threatened species in danger of extinction. Over the past thirty years humans have moved into the desert. Automobiles, off-road vehicles, and military training exercises have killed many of the tortoises. Industries such as mining and grazing have affected the tortoise population. Young tortoises are also killed by the increase number of ravens, which are the tortoise’s natural predator.

The people at Joshua Tree Tortoise Rescue work hard to make sure people will be able to enjoy the Desert Tortoises for years to come. They educate adults and children about the tortoises. The plight of the Desert Tortoise is an example of how human actions can hurt animal populations and affect the fragile natural environment.

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Responsibility for the Environment. Chapter Ten of the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church (CSDC) speaks to the Church’s teaching on safeguarding the environment. It teaches: “Care for the environment . . . is a matter of a common and universal duty.”1 This perspective takes on a particular importance when one considers . . . the context of the close relationships that bind the various parts of the ecosystem (CSDC 466).

BACKGROUND: CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING

Catholic Social Teaching—Unit 1

PrayLead the students in praying Psalm 150. Have them echo the verses after you.

Teach→ Read the Catholic Social Teaching

principle in the sidebar to the students. Point out that our Christian faith commands us to care for the natural world.

→ Give the class a short true and false quiz to assess how much they know about issues involving the care of creation.

For example:

— Americans make more than 200 million tons of garbage a year. (True)

— Old newspapers can become new newspapers. (True)

— Birds and other animals can choke on foam cups and straws that pollute lakes, rivers, and oceans. (True)

→ Have the students help you locate the state of California on a map. Then ask them if they know where the Mojave Desert is. Locate it on the map and point it out to them.

→ Have the students look at the photo of the desert tortoise. Tell them that the Mojave Desert is a natural habitat of the desert tortoise. Then have volunteers read the article aloud.

Making Connections

Faith Action

The animal world is one of God’s wondrous gifts. Write one way you can help take care of this gift.

.

with LANGUAGE ARTSWrite a poem about one of your favorite wild animals. In your poem express why you like this animal and why it is important to you that this animal be protected. Illustrate your poem.

with MATH AND SCIENCEOn a chart show the many forms of animal life that live in the environments on Earth. You can include mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles. Share whether any of the animals on your list are threatened or endangered. Discuss why they are threatened and possibe solution.

with SOCIAL STUDIESThe Desert Tortoise is an indicator species. An indicator species is an animal that scientists study to see how healthy a particular region is. An indicator species is sensitive to the changes in its environment. When humans moved to the desert, the desert tortoise was affected. Draw a map that shows the geography of the region where you live. On your map show how people have used and made changes to the natural environment, for example, building a dam. Find out how these changes may have affected any animals.

We need to be aware of how our actions affect the natural world around us.

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TEACHING TIPConnecting Faith and Life. The principles of Catholic Social Teaching illustrate how interconnected our faith is with life. For example, ecology and the environment are hot topics in our society. Issues such as those presented on these pages are in the news every day. Yet, how often do we connect these issues with basic, fundamental teachings of our faith? One key value of doing the cross-curricular activities with your students is that the children will see how relevant the faith of the Church is to everyday issues. Help the students be proud of what the faith teaches and how the faith challenges them to act responsibly toward God’s wondrous creation.

Catholic Social Teaching—Unit 1

ReinforceAsk volunteers to share their reaction to the story about the desert tortoise. Listen to their responses. Summarize by reading aloud the opening sentence on page 60. Share that a good starting point is being aware of how our actions affect the environment around us.

ConnectIntroduce and read the activities to the class. Invite and answer any questions. Have the students choose the activity they would like to do. Point out that they will be asked to share their completed projects with the class.

→ Social Studies: Review with the class the description of an indicator species. Draw a map on the board as an example to help the group get started.

→ Math and Science: Encourage the students to work in pairs and use science textbooks and the Internet as resources for the information they include on their charts.

→ Language Arts: Distribute paper and art materials. Display the poems in the classroom on a bulletin board for everyone to see.

Encourage the students to read the concluding text and write a concrete step that they can take to care for God’s gift of creation.

PrayRepeat the opening prayer.

A. Choose the Best WordFill in the blanks, using the best choice from the word bank.

faith Divine Providence Incarnation Holy Trinity Kingdom of God

1. The gift of helps us believe in God.

2. The is the mystery of One God in Three Divine Persons.

3. God’s love and care for creation is called

.

4. The Son of God becoming man and still being

God is called the .

5. The is the time when all people will live in peace and justice with God, with one another, and with all creation.

B. Show What You KnowMatch the words or phrases in Column A with the words or phrases in Column B.

Column A

1. the Messiah

2. creation

3. creeds

Unit 1 Review Name

Column B

a. summaries of the beliefs of the Church

b. the Savior God promised to send

c. all that God made out of love and without any help

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faith

Holy Trinity

Incarnation

Divine Providence

Kingdom of God

3

1

2

TEACHING TIP

Assessing Learning. Throughout the year, use multiple forms of assessment at the end of each unit. Students learn and communicate their understanding in multiple ways. Some forms of communication, for example, writing paragraphs, work better for some students. Other forms of communication, for example, artwork and verbal responses, work better for others. Asking questions, observing small group interactions, and using different activities throughout the chapter will provide you with multiple ways of identifying the students’ understanding of the truths of the faith.

Student page 61112

Unit 1 Review

The Unit Review provides the opportunity to assess the students’ understanding of the concepts presented in the unit and to affirm them in their growing knowledge and love of God. Here are a few suggestions for using these pages.

→ Share with the students that the next two pages are an opportunity to stop and review what they have learned.

→ Provide time for the students to ask questions.

→ Have the class complete the review alone or with a partner.

→ Encourage the students to share the Unit Review pages with their families.

A. Choose the Best WordThis section reviews the main concepts of the unit.

→ Read the directions for section A. Complete the first question together. By working together on the first question, you are teaching the students a strategy for answering these types of questions.

→ When the students have finished this section, invite volunteers to share their answers. Review any questions that the students have difficulty answering.

B. Show What You KnowThis section reinforces what the students have learned about Jesus.

→ Read the directions to the class and invite the students to complete the section.

→ Invite volunteers to share their answers.

C. Connect with ScriptureWhat was your favorite story about Jesus in this unit? Draw something that happened in the story. Next to your drawing, write the name of the story and tell one thing that happened in it. Share with your class.

D. Be a Disciple1. What Saint or holy person did you enjoy hearing about

in this unit? Write the name here. Write something about the person that you admire. Tell your class what this person did to follow Jesus.

2. Recall the virtues and gifts that you learned about in Disciple Power in this unit. Write about one that you are practicing so you can be a good disciple of Jesus. Tell how you are using it to follow Jesus. Share your answer with a partner.

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Responses will vary.

Responses will vary.

Responses will vary.

TEACHING TIP

Sensitivity to All Learners. As you complete this unit review, be sensitive to all types of learners. Those students with special learning needs as well as those who may be hesitant to share their ideas aloud in a group may need particular encouragement and support. Remember that this unit review is only one way to access the students’ understanding of the faith concepts as presented in this unit. Alternative assessments can be found online at BeMyDisciples.com.

113Student page 62

C. Connect with Scripture→ Help the students review the

Scripture stories in the unit, beginning with the Unit Opener story. You may wish to write the names of these stories on the board to assist them.

→ Ask volunteers to share their favorite stories with the class.

→ In the space, invite them to draw something that happened in the story. Invite volunteers to share their drawings now, or at the completion of the Unit Review.

D. Be a Disciple→ Ask the students to remember their

favorite stories of Saints or holy people that they learned about in this unit. Refresh their memories as needed, and write their responses on the board.

→ Give each student time to write the name of their favorite Saint or holy person on the line. Ask volunteers to share the reason for their choices.

→ Lead a discussion about the actions that make us good disciples of Jesus. Give the students time to write on the lines their idea of what they could do.